The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 207
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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 207
“Ah, no… cough!”
Ensia seized the black shadow’s throat before it could speak and slammed it to the ground.
Boom!
The black shadow coughed up blood, and Ensia’s entire room shook. It was an incredible display of strength from someone who had been bedridden for over a year.
“Ah, Miss, what on earth….”
“Silence.”
As Ensia pinned the black shadow down with a cold smile, the door burst open and Sheryl and the inspectors entered, turning on the lights.
“Huh….”
“W-wait, it was real.”
“Raon’s words were exactly right….”
The inspectors’ jaws dropped as they saw the young woman in a maid’s uniform pinned beneath Ensia.
“That’s the maid who was always by Miss Ensia’s side!”
“Right. The one who was always attending to her.”
Martha bared her teeth, and Burren furrowed his brow.
“Ah….”
Finally, Ensia entered, supported by Michelle’s arm. Her jaw trembled as she saw the maid on the ground.
“L-Loren. It was you?”
Ensia’s sky-blue eyes wavered as if tears were about to fall.
“Why would you do such a thing….”
“Ah, Miss, why are there two of….”
Loren, the maidservant, alternated her gaze between the blue-eyed Ensia before her and the red-eyed Ensia pressing down on her, her eyes widening in shock.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not your lady’s maid.”
The red-eyed Ensia tapped her own face lightly. A gray cloak slipped from her shoulders, revealing Raon’s face beneath.
“A… a Doppelgänger’s Cloak…?”
Loren swallowed hard as she looked at the cloak fallen on the ground and then at Raon. Now she understood what had happened.
“I thought you’d come, so I put on a little performance.”
Raon chuckled softly as he gripped the Doppelgänger’s Cloak in his hand. This cloak was a legendary artifact capable of transforming one’s appearance into another person. While it had several drawbacks, its effect was undeniably potent.
“Loren.”
“What on earth are you…?”
Ensia and Michelle’s eyes wavered like waves crashing against the shore. They seemed unable to accept this situation.
Meanwhile, Raon gazed down at Loren with a calm, matter-of-fact expression.
‘It was obvious.’
Since the Hell Worm had to be administered directly through the mouth or nose, the spy had to be someone close to Ensia.
I had suspected it was one of Ensia’s two maidservants, but it turned out to be Loren—the one who had been standing on the right and attending to her all along—who was the Robert Family’s spy.
“We’ve been together since you were eight years old. How could you do something like this…?”
Ensia collapsed to the ground, her mouth sealed shut.
‘Eight years old.’
The Robert Family typically begins training children in assassination and espionage work between the ages of six and eight. Hearing her age only strengthened my conviction.
‘Though she probably doesn’t know who she’s truly working for.’
Derus Robert operates his spies as a cellular network, never revealing their true allegiance. The spies are simply brainwashed into following orders.
“Raon, is it Loren? Did she really do this?”
Ensia finally parted her lips after a long silence. Her dry lips trembled pitifully.
“This woman is a schemer.”
“No! I didn’t do anything!”
Loren shook her head forcefully.
“What are you talking about? You were trying to stab this curved needle into my forehead.”
I picked up the bent needle from the floor and showed it to Loren.
“Th-that’s medicine!”
Loren screamed, her eyes bloodshot with desperation.
“Medicine?”
Ensia bit her lip as she stared at the needle. Her expression was that of someone clinging to a last shred of hope.
“Didn’t a renowned physician visit the family a few months ago? I received this medicine from him to reduce fever.”
“Then why did you coat it on a needle and come here in the dead of night trying to stab her with it?”
“I-I only followed the physician’s instructions. He said that if I coated the needle with medicine and pricked her very lightly while she slept, it would reduce her fever.”
Loren spun her lies without batting an eye.
“Every time the young lady suffered greatly while sleeping, I administered the medicine. I was truly worried about her… *sob*!”
She lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. Her performance was so convincing that anyone watching would believe her.
“That, such a thing….”
Ensia’s pupils wavered greatly. She seemed to be swayed by this absurd excuse.
‘There’s no helping it.’
This is what makes an old schemer most dangerous. By weaponizing the affection accumulated over the years and spinning desperate excuses, one’s judgment inevitably becomes clouded.
Especially since Ensia had grown up with her since she was eight years old, it would be even more tempting to believe.
‘But.’
That might work on Ensia and Michelle, but it didn’t fool me—a complete outsider.
“If you’d only pricked it lightly like that, the needle wouldn’t have bent this much. This is clearly a failed attempt at a deep stab.”
I pointed at the tip of the bent needle.
“Besides, if we examine the substance coating this needle, we’ll know for certain whether it’s medicine or poison.”
“Ah, no. It’s a misunderstanding….”
Loren’s eyes rolled about frantically as she searched for a new excuse.
“Lo, Loren….”
Ensia clenched her fists with effort, biting her lip as if in pain.
“I was truly worried about the young lady…cough!”
I dislocated Loren’s jaw mid-sentence.
“Since you seem to be accepting this to some degree now, I suppose I can show you proper evidence.”
“Evidence?”
“Spies always hide poison in their mouths, since they never know when their identity might be exposed.”
“That’s not possible. We checked before Loren entered here.”
Michelle shook her head as if it were unthinkable.
“She didn’t have the poison then.”
“What?”
“At first, they genuinely act as a member of the family, stealing no information. Only after they’ve earned the family’s trust as an ordinary child do they receive orders as a spy and have poison embedded in their teeth.”
Exploiting human emotion and psychology—that was the Robert Family’s method.
“You’ll see for yourself.”
“Mmph!”
I reached into Loren’s mouth and retrieved the white pearl hidden behind her molars. Though white in appearance, it was a vicious poison that would dissolve her organs the moment she bit down, ensuring a swift death.
“Ugh!”
Loren looked up at me with eyes that seemed tired now. She appeared shocked by my ability to predict her arrival at this place and instantly locate the poison concealed in her mouth.
‘There’s nothing surprising about it.’
I offered a bitter smile.
‘I know because I’ve experienced it myself.’
During my days as an assassin, I always had these poison pearls embedded in my teeth. I could recognize it because I, like this woman, had endured the enslaved life of being forced toward death.
“Loren….”
Ensia’s arms went limp, as if even her anger had drained away.
“Why would you do that! Why on earth!”
“Miss! Please listen to me…Ugh!”
Even with her jaw dislocated, Loren attempted to make excuses, but I delivered a shock to her heart, rendering her unconscious. It was a precaution in case there might be a Rage Worm lurking in her heart.
“Chief Steward Aaron.”
I called out to Aaron, who was frowning behind me. At least he still had his wits about him.
“Ah, yes.”
“It would be best to confine her for now.”
“Understood.”
Aaron nodded hastily and led Loren away.
“Hmm….”
I looked at the collapsed Ensia. Her trembling eyes gradually came to rest.
‘She’s accepted it, it seems.’
From the start, I could have subdued Loren and extracted the poison, but I went through all this trouble to ensure that Ensia and Michelle would have no lingering attachments to her.
She had suffered a tremendous shock, but fortunately, it seemed she had decided to accept reality.
‘There’s no point in interrogating Loren.’
Unlike assassins, the Earl operated through a cellular organization. For that maidservant to contact Derus Robert or Themurs, she would have to go through at least four or five communication channels, so there was no chance that either of their names or information about Ensia’s treatment would come from her lips.
“We won’t depart tomorrow, but the morning after. Please get some proper rest.”
“Thank you.”
“Raon. Thank you.”
I listened to the weak words of gratitude from Michelle and Ensia, then stepped outside.
“Raon.”
As I was heading back to the Dormitory, Sheryl’s voice reached me. When I turned around, the members of the Heavenly Sword Squad and the Gwangpung Unit were staring at me with expressions of disbelief.
“What exactly are you?”
Sheryl approached with a furrowed brow.
‘It’s not just about creating a situation where the Earl would come, but you even grasped his true identity and psychology?’
I had approved Raon’s plan because it seemed plausible, but I never expected it to unfold so flawlessly.
‘How does someone like this even exist?’
Overwhelming martial prowess?
That could be attributed to natural talent combined with relentless effort reaching that level.
But the trap design and psychological insight he displayed today were so seasoned that he couldn’t possibly be a rookie swordsman just beginning his second mission. The more I thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.
“I’m curious what could possibly fit inside that small head of yours.”
Eckon also let out a hollow laugh, unable to comprehend it.
“I always knew you were clever, but I never expected this level.”
“Raon. That was amazing. And handsome too.”
“Well, you certainly know how to use your head.”
Burren exhaled sharply, Lunan gave a thumbs up, and Martha nodded slowly.
“N-now that’s actually terrifying….”
“Right? It’s like dealing with a ghost….”
Dorian and Crain’s jaws trembled visibly.
“I was simply fortunate.”
I shrugged while observing the swordsmen’s shocked expressions.
“I wasn’t entirely certain myself.”
“You seemed pretty certain to me.”
I simply smiled at Sheryl as her eyes narrowed.
“Not planning to answer, I see. Regardless, well done. You did capture the spy, after all. However, spies typically operate through multiple channels, so extracting information backward is rarely straightforward. Interrogation will likely prove futile, so don’t get your hopes too high.”
“Understood.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Sigh, I can’t tell if I’m conversing with a seventeen-year-old or a seventy-one-year-old.”
Sheryl waved her hand dismissively and returned to Ensia’s room.
But there was something she didn’t know.
‘There’s still a gain to be had.’
A substantial one at that.
Derus Robert is a perfectionist.
He must have invested considerable time and resources to devour the Yonan Family, and now that it’s crumbled in a single blow, he’ll surely abandon all pretense and descend into rage, madness, and chaos.
‘It’s a shame I won’t witness that spectacle.’
I chuckled softly, thinking of Derus Robert in the South.
*
*
*
When Sheryl returned to her room, Ensia had already fallen asleep, and Michelle held her hand firmly in her grasp.
“From now on, I shall keep watch. Please rest as well, Head of House.”
Sheryl approached Ensia’s bedside and observed Michelle.
“Thank you.”
Michelle lowered her head, her breathing steady and controlled.
“We are merely repaying a debt.”
“Even so, you have shown considerable thoughtfulness. Especially Raon.”
As the head of a noble house, she was fully aware of all the various considerations Raon had extended to them.
“What exactly is he?”
“What do you mean?”
“His intellect, his judgment, his decisiveness—none of it resembles someone so young.”
Michelle shook her head, her gaze lingering on the floor where Raon had held Loren.
“Does the Northern Destruction King personally oversee him?”
“That is not the case. He has a master, but he has grown almost entirely on his own. And….”
Sheryl shook her head and glanced back toward the door.
“I too am curious about his true nature.”
Where exactly did his limits lie?
*
*
*
Themurs gazed at the sun dispelling the dark night from deep within the Forest. His face, bathed in the brilliant cascade of sunlight, was twisted into a savage grimace.
“Why haven’t they made contact?”
Themurs glared with fierce eyes and struck the massive tree beside him.
Crash!
With a sound like the earth itself convulsing, the tree toppled, crumbling into charred ash that scattered away.
“They should have contacted me long ago! Why is there no contact?!”
“I… I’m not sure. The liaison point says they haven’t received any contact either….”
Yupen trembled, his shoulders shaking as he bowed his head.
“You made sure the instructions were delivered clearly, didn’t you?”
“Yes. They should have received them before evening.”
“Then they’ve been discovered!”
Themurs stamped his foot. Black energy erupted from the ground, and the surrounding Thicket withered as if struck by drought.
“Stupid woman! She can’t even manage a simple needle prick without getting caught?”
His barely suppressed rage surged anew, and malice gleamed in Themurs’s eyes.
“Then I’ll contact him right now—gasp!”
“Have you lost your mind?”
When Yupen summoned a raven from Shadow, Themurs seized him by the throat.
“Swallowing the Yonan Family is a plan we’ve prepared for over fifteen years. If this reaches his ears, both our heads will roll.”
“Ah….”
Yupen grasped his own throat, his teeth chattering.
“Even if we report, we must deliver results. Otherwise, this will be a complete disaster.”
Themurs took a steady breath, suppressing the rage that threatened to erupt like a volcano.
“But I can’t hide this from him….”
“That’s why we need to finish this as quickly as possible! Where are the Shadow members right now?”
“They’ve come close by. Even if we depart today, they should be able to catch up.”
Yupen answered quickly and bowed his head.
“Call not just the Shadow, but everyone nearby. We don’t need to chase quickly. It’s fine if we’re slow, so have them gather all the weapons and poisons from the nearby branches.”
“All of them, sir?”
“The opponent is the Heavenly Sword Master. To even have a chance of restraining her for a moment, we need to unleash all the poison and smoke screens.”
Themurs ground his teeth as he recalled the Heavenly Sword Master he’d seen today.
‘Killing her is impossible.’
When she concealed her presence, she was light as a feather, but the moment she revealed herself, she became vaster than a mountain. Her power exceeded what he’d heard.
“Raon! I just need to kill Raon Zigheart for certain. Then I can restore everything.”
Black aura seeped from Themurs’s grip.
“I’ll flay that arrogant face of his raw.”
*
*
*
The next afternoon, I made my way to the Family Head’s office. The room was still in disarray, but unlike yesterday, Michelle’s expression was bright.
“Welcome.”
Michelle greeted me with far more courtesy than yesterday.
“Are you feeling better?”
I bowed my head in return and asked.
“My chest still feels heavy, but since you showed me Loren’s true form, I came to my senses more quickly. Shock therapy seems to be quite effective.”
She laughed awkwardly, saying she could accept it now.
“Our Chief Steward interrogated Loren throughout the night, but nothing came out. It seems she doesn’t know anything at all.”
“I see.”
As expected. Loren likely only knew how to contact the cell directly above her in the organization.
“In the end, we’ll need to go to Letran for treatment. We’re departing tomorrow, correct?”
“Yes. Now that we’ve captured the spy, it would be good to bring a maid to assist Ensia as well.”
“Of course. I’ll prepare everything.”
“And….”
I paused, seeming to wrestle with something.
“Don’t hesitate—just tell me.”
Michelle leaned forward on the sofa, gesturing for me to speak freely.
“I’m afraid the journey escorting Ensia won’t be an easy one.”
“W-what do you mean by that?”
“Given how blatantly they’re targeting Ensia, they must be after something from the Yonan Family.”
I wanted to say those people were the Robert Family, but I barely held back.
“Such people won’t let this opportunity slip away. They’ll definitely prepare thoroughly and launch an ambush against Ensia and us.”
“Then what should we do?”
“Since they may use strange powers or poison like they did on Ensia, could the family head assist us a little?”
“Of course!”
She spread her hands wide as if it were obvious.
“Artifacts are our family’s pride, after all. Tell me whatever you need.”
“Excellent.”
I smiled faintly and pulled a sheet of paper from my pocket, handing it to her.
“Poison-blocking artifact, Whirlwind Blade, Luminous Stone, Strength-enhancing artifact, Night Vision artifact, Agility enhancement, Heat-resistant cloak, Wind Spirit Liquor….”
As she recited the endless list in order, her voice gradually began to tremble.
“I, I see that we really do need all of this now….”
“Indeed. The poison immunity artifact is particularly crucial.”
Detoxification cured poisoned toxins, but poison immunity ignored them entirely. Poison immunity artifacts were far superior to detoxification—and far more expensive.
“S-some of these seem unnecessary….”
“These are essential if we’re to return with everyone alive.”
-What nonsense!
Wrath climbed onto my bracelet and cried out indignantly.
-Poison immunity artifacts aside, strength enhancement and agility enhancement aren’t necessary at all!
‘Those are for me.’
-So you’re committing fraud!
‘Not at all.’
I shook my head calmly.
‘If I grow stronger and protect others, our survival odds increase accordingly. I haven’t lied.’
-Ugh!
Wrath couldn’t counter my logic—or rather, my strangely logical illogic—and instead glared at Michelle.
-Hey, woman! Don’t you dare hand them over! This bastard is an even more vicious demon than Greed!
But contrary to Wrath’s wishes, Michelle appeared to have already made her decision.
“Everyone returning alive….”
Michelle murmured the words about returning with everyone alive and nodded.
‘Yes. I can trust this person.’
Thanks to my plan, she’d been able to identify the traitor and avoid being swayed by emotion. This man was someone she could trust with anything he said.
“Understood. I’ll have everything prepared by tomorrow.”
Michelle nodded.
-Ugh!
Wrath narrowed his eyes as he looked at Michelle.
-You’re actually agreeing to all of this? Is money rotting away? Why does everyone fall over themselves to give this guy whatever he wants!
He exhaled a chill of displeasure.
“As you said earlier, if Ensia fully recovers and everyone who left returns safely, I will grant you everything you desire.”
Michelle spoke with her hands clasped tightly, her sincerity unmistakable.
-No, this won’t do!
Wrath’s eyes widened.
-This guy really will say anything!
“Are you certain?”
I pushed aside the frantically gesturing Wrath and smiled faintly.
“Yes. I promise you on my name.”
“Do remember those words well.”
I rose with a slight grin.
‘Since she’s offering willingly, there’s no reason to refuse.
I was confident I’d extract enough from her today that she’d be grateful for the list I’d shown her. I was certain Michelle would come to regret those words.
-I’m going mad!
Wrath shook his head violently.
-Why do fools walk right into your hands! Tell me how you manage to attract them like this!
‘Who knows…’
I chuckled softly watching Wrath thrash about.
Wasn’t it because the Fool King was by my side?
Not content with what I was giving, I even called in another fool—truly, Wrath, who gives without reservation, was the best.
*
*
*
When Raon came down after meeting Michelle, Lunan was preparing to go out.
“Where are you going?”
“There’s a Pearl Ice Cream Shop.”
She muttered that a new product had come out and she absolutely had to go.
-R-Raon.
Wrath crawled up my forearm slowly.
-How about we go too?
‘Why would I?’
-Ice cream is delicious. Eating it puts you in a good mood.
‘Not really for me.’
I shook my head. It tasted fine, but training brought me far greater satisfaction.
-You obsessive training fanatic….
‘You have nothing to say, do you?’
-Wait, then how about this?
-What?
‘I shall lend my power to matters that don’t require wrath!’
‘Help?’
-Yes. Like reading cards at the Gambling House, or alerting you when someone approaches.
Wrath rolled his eyes desperately. He seemed quite eager for that ice cream.
‘Looks like I’m being set up for free labor.’
Since we were planning to leave together with Lunan anyway tomorrow, this unexpected benefit was simply delightful.
Good.
I nodded and approached Lunan.
“Let’s go together.”
“Yeah!”
Lunan nodded and curled his lips into a thin smile.
We headed toward the main gate of the Yonan Family together.
When I asked the gate guards to open the door, Wrath suddenly furrowed his brow.
-You’ve mistimed this.
Indeed.
As I clicked my tongue, the main gate of the Yonan Family swung open, and a silver-haired man walked through.
“Ah….”
Upon seeing that man, Lunan stepped back, his lips trembling.
“So it’s true that you came to this place.”
The silver-haired man—Siria Slion—waved his hand with a bright smile.
“Lunan. It’s been a while.”
“Yeah. It really has.”
I stepped forward in front of Lunan and smiled coldly.
“Raon Zigheart….”
A small crack appeared in Siria Slion’s cheerful smile.
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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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