The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 127

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 127

“Now, what do you make of this?”

Dorian pointed at a footprint the size of a man’s forearm pressed into the ground.

“Oh, an orc.”
“An orc’s footprint….”

The Sulgyek Swordsmen opened their mouths with expressions of utter displeasure.

“An ooorc? An oooooorc?”
“Ugh, it’s an orc, sir!”
“That’s right.”

He nodded only after hearing the formal address.

“Now, what about this one?”

This time he pointed to claw marks carved into a tree trunk.

“This is a bear—”
“You don’t know? These are territorial markings left by a bearwolf. See? A truly excellent scout must know all of these things!”

Dorian cut off the Sulgyek Swordsmen who were about to answer and lectured them instead, applying the information he’d learned just recently.

“Ugh….”
“Argh!”
“Je, jee—”

The Sulgyek Swordsmen suppressed their rage by looking up at the sky, clenching their fists, or biting their lips. What was amusing was that Sulgyek Commander Edquil, whose face had turned as pale as a corpse, was among them.

They felt Raon’s gaze watching from behind and trembled with tension.

“I never thought I’d live to see the day something like this would happen.”

Terian, still holding the log, let out a hollow laugh as he watched the Sulgyek Swordsmen trailing after Dorian like ducklings.

“If it becomes a problem, I will explain the situation to the Commander myself.”

I bowed my head apologetically to Terian.

“No, no. You’re right—treating a comrade like a pack mule is unacceptable. Those men need to understand what Scout Units endure. Three months should be enough for them to learn that lesson, so I’d actually like to praise you for this idea.”

Terian smiled warmly, raising his hand to show his sincerity.

“But I do have one question.”
“Please, ask away.”
“Did you create that trap with your dagger?”

His gaze shifted to the Soul Reaper Sword at my waist. The very fact that he was asking meant he already understood the situation.

“Yes, I did.”

There was no point hiding what he already knew. I nodded slowly in confirmation.

“Ha.”

Terian shook his head with a wry chuckle.

‘I wasn’t mistaken after all.’

Just as I’d suspected, this young swordsman’s formidable martial prowess was merely the tip of the iceberg. He possessed far more than that.

“You’re destined for greatness.”
“I appreciate the sentiment.”

Beto, the commander of the Ulves Mercenary Group, approached and settled down beside us.

“Despite my appearance, I’ve lived quite a long time.”

He smiled, gesturing to his youthful face.

“I’ve traveled across the entire Continent and met countless people, but I’ve never encountered anyone quite like you, Raon. How should I put it? You possess tremendous martial strength and profound intellect, yet your emotions seem… subdued.”
“Subdued?”
“Ah, it’s a compliment. I mean you have a certain purity to you.”
“…I see.”

I nodded, watching as these experienced individuals assessed me with keen eyes.

‘Should I conceal myself? No.’

I’d wondered if I’d revealed too much, but that wasn’t quite right. I’d resolved to live as the swordsman Raon, not as an assassin, so there was no harm in showing this much.

“I look forward to working with you. It seems I’ll be needing your assistance quite often.”
“The pleasure is ours.”

Terian extended his hand. I grasped it firmly.

“Haha, count me in too.”

Beto’s long hand came down on top of ours.

“If the opportunity arises, please visit our mercenary group sometime.”

I couldn’t fully trust them yet, but they seemed genuinely favorable toward me—whether as a guest or as a potential recruit.

“Already recruiting?”
“When you spot talent like this, you have to mark them down immediately. Honestly, I’d love to bring you in right now, but that seems impossible. Still, since we’re comrades of sorts, you’re better than a complete stranger.”
“You’re something else.”

Beto chuckled, and Terian offered a similar smile.

“What? A troll?”

I turned my head at Dorian’s sharp cry.

“These are Kari mountain goat tracks! You don’t even know that? You lot are hopeless. Add another log to the fire!”

He narrowed his eyes and fumbled with his coin purse.

-The man knows no limits. He’s truly worthy of being my number one subordinate.

Wrath nodded in admiration.

‘Truly, there’s not a single ordinary person wherever I go.’

I sighed as I watched Dorian pull out yet another log.

*

*

*

“Uwaaaaa!”

The moment we crossed through the main gate of Habun Castle, a deafening roar erupted that made my ears ring. It was the voices of soldiers and residents lining the main road.

“Everyone returned safely!”
“Isn’t this the first time in Habun Castle’s history?”
“The entire expedition must have been exceptionally skilled!”

The residents burst into another round of exclamations as they watched the soldiers enter like triumphant generals.

“It’s an Ice Troll Warrior and a Shaman!”
“Whew, it’s been a while since I’ve seen one. They really are monsters.”
“But didn’t one person catch both of them?”
“I heard the same thing. That young swordsman who sparred with the Ulves Mercenary Group caught them both.”
“There he is! He doesn’t even have any special presence, so how is he so strong?”
“Isn’t the rumor exaggerated?”

Because the Scout Unit had entered a day earlier to deliver the news, all the soldiers’ and residents’ gazes were fixed on me.
They scrutinized my entire body with eyes full of admiration, curiosity, awe, or skepticism.

I walked toward the center, calmly accepting the gazes I had grown somewhat accustomed to by now.

“You won’t have a single person in the castle who doesn’t know you now.”

Dorian approached from the side with a grin. His unwashed face gleamed with vitality, having apparently relieved considerable stress by tormenting the Sulgyek Swordsmen.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself.”
“I am! A junior just arrived! In group life, everything changes depending on how many juniors you have below you. I’m in heaven right now. Pure heaven!”

With the battle finished and plenty of people to order around, Dorian’s steps were as light as if he had sprouted wings.

I arrived at the command post parading the Ice Troll Warrior and Shaman’s heads before me, and Milend’s adjutant Charles emerged and bowed respectfully.

“The Commander says to come up immediately.”

He had summoned everyone—Terian, Edquil, and Radin along with me.

“Was I left out?”
“Ah, well….”
“Just joking. Joking!”

Beto shrugged and headed toward the tavern, muttering something about needing a drink. The mercenaries followed eagerly behind him, delighted at the prospect.

“Please follow me.”

I followed Charles up to the Commander’s Office. Passing through the black door that carried the scent of aged wood, I entered to find Commander Milend with his brow deeply furrowed.

Despite having eliminated an elite monster without a single casualty, Milend’s expression was unmistakable. As expected, he fixed a murderous glare upon Sulgyek Commander Edquil.

“Edquil.”
“Yes….”
“It seems I’ve been too lenient with you.”

As Milend lifted his head, a pressure so sharp it made the air itself sting emanated from him.

“Gasp!”

Edquil, bearing the full brunt of his aura head-on, gasped for breath and clutched at his chest.

“Every single meeting, I told you to look after the Scout Unit. And you, who attended every one of those meetings, repay me like this?”

It was crude language unbecoming of a commander, yet it suited him in an oddly fitting way.

“I’m sorry! Please forgive me just this once!”

Edquil dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the floor.

“Forgiveness?”
“Yes! If you would only overlook this, I swear it will never happen again….”
“Forgiveness is fine. But there will be a price.”

Milend’s voice had softened slightly, and Edquil lifted his head. Yet the hope gleaming in his eyes extinguished in an instant.

“Since this wager was conducted under the Deputy Commander’s attestation, I cannot simply break that promise. Besides, I think this method is quite reasonable. If you understand how Scout Units live and work, perhaps you’ll come to your senses.”
“C-Commander…”
“From today onward, you belong to the Scout Unit. The agreement was for three months, but I have no intention of ending it there. After three months, I will observe your attitudes and decide whether to lift this disciplinary action. Now go.”
“Yes, understood.”

Edquil shuffled out with the expression of a man whose soul had half departed his body—like a zombie emerging from the Forest of the Dead.

“Radin.”
“Yes.”
“Do you trust me so little?”
“No, sir!”
“Then why didn’t you tell me about taking on menial work?”

Milend’s atmosphere remained fierce. It seemed Radin would face discipline himself if he didn’t answer properly.

“When we go on missions or subjugations, it’s the soldiers who clash with the swordsmen. I’m fine, but I feared retaliation would fall upon those under my command. If they’re struck by an Aura user’s attack, we have to lie in bed suffering for quite some time.”

Radin’s voice trembled faintly. His face flushed with genuine concern for his subordinates.

“Foolish bastard.”

Milend clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Do you think I’ve only encountered such matters once or twice while running this place? If you’d come to me in secret and spoken up, I could have resolved everything!”
“How so, sir?”
“He’s just like that one.”

He pointed his finger at Raon.

“There’s nothing that can’t be solved by the fist. If a problem can’t be resolved by the fist, then it simply hasn’t been hit hard enough.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Uh, Father?”

Terian and Radin’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Regardless, you’re also being disciplined. You’re confined to quarters for a week starting tomorrow.”
“Starting tomorrow? What about today….”
“You returned without casualties after capturing an Ice Troll Warrior and a shaman. I can’t impose discipline immediately. Enjoy yourself today—eat, have fun.”
“Ah, thank you.”

Radin bowed with an awkward expression that was neither quite a smile nor a frown, then left the Commander’s Office.

Finally, Milend’s gaze turned toward me.

“You did well. And thank you.”

As if he’d just released a frown he’d been holding, Milend smiled gently.
Honestly, it didn’t suit him—like watching cold steel break into a grin—yet the warmth with which he cherished his subordinates came through clearly.

“Everyone returning without a single casualty is nothing short of miraculous. You’ve worked incredibly hard.”
“No, sir.”
“Your graduation trial was to survive here for one year, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll report every detail of this mission to Zigheart without omission. I’ll also ensure your compensation is properly arranged, so come collect it later.”
“Thank you.”

As I nodded slightly, Milend’s smile deepened.

“You’re quite childlike at times like this.”

He chuckled and waved his hand.

“Go on. You should enjoy today as well. If you arrive late, there won’t be any seats left.”
“Yes.”

I bowed and turned to leave, while Milend beckoned to Terian, who stood motionless.

“What did you think?”
“Sir?”
“Didn’t you say you wanted to see that boy’s true nature? What kind of person is he?”
“He’s a boy I cannot fathom.”
“Cannot fathom?”
“I’m not one to judge him. I thought he was still raw metal waiting to be hammered, but he’s already a blade rushing toward completion.”
“Heh, I told you so. That boy is different.”

Milend nodded as if he’d expected this.

“His temperament is admirable too. He doesn’t flaunt his power unless provoked first. It’s peculiar—he doesn’t quite fit Zigheart, yet somehow he fits perfectly.”
“If you can build a connection with Raon, do so.”
“Pardon?”
“He may become the patriarch of Zigheart one day.”
“To that extent?”
“That boy….”

Milend gazed down at Raon from his window, a faint smile crossing his lips.

“He’s stronger than the Northern Sea King at the same age. A monster I’ve never encountered before.”

*

*

*

Upon hearing that everyone had gone to the tavern, I made my way directly to Frost’s Branch. The moment I opened the door, raucous laughter and the scent of alcohol washed over me.

“Raon! Over here!”

Dorian’s face flushed red as he waved his hands frantically.

“Oh! The hero arrives!”
“The pride of our Scout Unit!”
“Raon! Raon! Raon!”

The Scout Unit members struck the table with their beer mugs, chanting my name.

“Woooah!”
“Soul Reaper! Soul Reaper!”
“We’ve got one too!”

The mercenaries joined in with the same fervor, their cheers erupting across the tavern.

I chuckled softly and took a seat beside Dorian. Having built a rapport with them during our journey across the Northern Sea, I found their chants far from unpleasant.

“Today, I’m buying! Yua! Bring out all the alcohol and food we have!”
“What are you talking about! I’ll pay!”
“No, the 3rd Scout Squad will cover it!”

Now the Scout Unit and the mercenaries had begun arguing over who would pay. Everyone was elated that we’d all returned without a single casualty.

“Ahem!”

Yua, who had been serving the ordered food and drinks, stood in the center of the tavern and let out an adorable little cough.

“Since everyone from the expedition has returned safely, I’d like to sing a song for you all—it’s been quite some time!”

Yua raised her small hands and broke into a radiant smile.

“Ooooh!”
“Really?”
“How long has it been since we heard Yua sing!”
“We owe this chance to the Soul Reaper Sword!”

Everyone in the tavern turned to look at Yua. It didn’t seem like mere flattery.

“Well then.”

Yua swayed her twin-tailed hair and closed her eyes.

“In the frozen forest swept by azure waves…”

The moment she began singing with her hands clasped tightly together, the tavern fell silent.

“The fairy dancing through the night yearns for the day…”

How could I describe it? My heart was stirred.
It wasn’t merely that she sang well—the caliber of her raw talent itself was different. Across both my past and present lives, I’d never encountered a child who could sing to this degree.

It wasn’t a matter of technique or clarity of tone. Her voice seemed to caress the very emotions of those listening.

-She certainly has skill. A rare gift indeed.
‘Are you just being generous because I gave you a pineapple?’
-I am cold in my judgment of talent. This is already approaching the realm of magic. Did your heart not tremble?

I nodded in agreement.

-If you have that child sing, she will surely become great. It would be a waste to have her carry food in this place. I shall appoint her as my personal singer and chef….
‘Here we go again.’

I ignored Wrath’s muttering and focused on Yua’s voice. Just as he said, there was something special about her singing.

“…and thus I face the rising sun!”
“Woooooah!”
“Yua! Yua!”

The moment Yua’s song ended, the tavern erupted with cheers. Mercenaries and scouts patted my shoulders, moved that I had brought them to hear Yua’s performance.

A small festival broke out within the tavern, and soldiers and mercenaries mingled together, laughing and talking as they released the memories from the expedition.

‘Yes. This was it.’

Fighting with our lives on the line, and from that foundation, the camaraderie that bloomed—this was the scene I had anticipated upon coming to Habun Castle. Though rough around the edges, a warm emotion drummed against my heart.

‘There is still so much to learn in this world.’

I smiled faintly as I watched everyone rejoice.

*

*

*

On a tree halfway up Bekmang Mountain, overlooking the Zigheart Annex.
Glen Zigheart stood on a thin branch, the kind only a small bird would perch upon.

His crimson gaze caught Sylvia examining the premium beef placed in front of the Annex.

“Tsk, she would like it even more if I gave it to her directly.”

Rimer, sitting on the branch directly below, smacked his lips.

“I didn’t know that child liked beef.”

Glen watched Sylvia until she closed the door behind her, then finally spoke.

“I don’t know what she likes or dislikes. I was never a father—merely a bystander.”
“….”
“A bystander like me has no right to stand beside that child.”
“It wasn’t something you chose, Patriarch.”
“I chose it. I wanted strength, and this was the consequence. The only memories I have of Sylvia are from when she was born and when she fled here.”

Glen’s voice carried the melancholy of a flower blooming late, standing alone against the cold wind.

“Then why not fill that time starting from now?”
“Rimer.”
“Yes?”
“If I scattered feathers from a sack here, what would happen?”
“They’d fly away.”
“Exactly. They’d scatter in all directions and become impossible to gather. My words and actions are the same. What’s already been done cannot be taken back.”
“No, that’s not true.”

Rimer pouted his lips.

“What do you mean, not true?”
“Look.”

He tore a betting slip from his pocket into shreds and scattered it into the air. The pieces drifted away on the cold wind.

“Now!”

Rimer swept his hand like a claw. Green wind swirled, and all the scattered pieces of the betting slip returned to his palm.

“It’s possible, isn’t it?”

He grinned and held out the betting slip in his hand.

“…I wasn’t talking to you.”

Glen ground his teeth and leaped down from the tree.

“Huh? Patriarch, are you sulking?”
“Silence.”
“I was just joking!”
“Don’t come near me.”
“Hahaha! My ears have been itching lately—surely you’re not cursing my name behind my back, are you?”
“I wouldn’t even sully my mouth speaking your name.”

As Glen Zigheart and Rimer bickered their way toward the Patriarch’s Hall, a biting wind swept across their heads.

“The wind grows colder by the day. It seems the wave will begin soon.”
“Indeed. Once the wave starts, that boy will understand why he calls Habun Castle a hell of his own.”
“Huh? You actually answered me?”
“Tsk.”

Glen Zigheart clicked his tongue and turned away once more.

“I hear Raon made quite the impression at Habun Castle. Why don’t you tell me about it too?”
“I know nothing.”
“Come on, don’t pretend. You receive regular reports every two weeks! A grandfather so worried about his grandson that he can’t sleep at night… wait?”
“Huuuuh.”

Yellow sparks crackled from Glen Zigheart’s clenched fist.

“P-Patriarch?”
“I’ll make sure that mouth of yours stays shut for a while.”
“Wait! If that falls, I’m dead!”
“Yes. Die then.”

That day, a tremendous bolt of lightning struck down upon the center of Bekmang Mountain.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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