The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 237

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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 237

Rimer rose calmly and brushed the dust from his clothes. He knelt on one knee, struck the ground with his fist, and bowed his head.

“Commander of the Gwangpung Unit. I accept the order of the family head.”

A solemn aura emanated from his low voice, blazing across his shoulders. A formidable energy that defied the notion he’d just been struck in jest rippled outward in concentric circles, engulfing the Audience Chamber.

Seriousness settled into those green eyes that had always brimmed with mischief, yet Glen and Dogyae showed no surprise whatsoever. They accepted it naturally, as if this were simply his true nature.

“The mission hasn’t been confirmed yet.”
“Ugh, you should have said that sooner! Keeping my eyes all intense like that is exhausting!”

Rimer let out a long sigh and stood up. He muttered something about the moment being ruined and scratched his head.

“Hmm….”

Glen frowned and tapped his fingers against the armrest. He seemed to be debating whether to strike him with lightning.

“What kind of mission is it that you’re warning us before we even begin?”
“Do you know of the Gazel River, which borders the Rabel River?”
“Of course. It’s where the Cheongru Tribe lives.”

Rimer nodded. The Gazel River was located at the edge of Zigheart Territory and was the residence of the Cheongru Tribe, one of the Ahin races.

“I stayed for a while in Doran Village, which sits beside the river. It was a quiet and peaceful place, like a forest.”

Memories surfaced of the warmth of the people there, the serene and tranquil atmosphere reminiscent of my homeland forest where I found rest.

“It’s a pleasant place. There’s a certain charm just in watching the Cheongru Tribe playing in the clear river.”

Dogyae, who had also visited the place, smiled faintly.

“Right. The Cheongru Tribe are somewhat cat-like, so there’s something delightful about watching them.”

Rimer nodded in agreement with Dogyae’s words.

“I heard that the Cheongru Tribe attacked people.”
“Pardon?”

Rimer’s smile faded as his mouth fell open.

“That… that shouldn’t be possible.”

The Cheongru Tribe dwelled only in water and near its banks, hiding whenever they spotted people or boats. They were a timid race. Despite possessing formidable power, they were like immortals who never revealed their strength—the notion that they would attack humans was simply unbelievable.

“Who did they attack?”
“Fishermen living in Doran Village, I’m told.”
“Hmm…”

Rimer scratched his chin. Doran Village was the only place that maintained a symbiotic relationship with the Cheongru Tribe, so the idea that they would attack them seemed impossible.

“Could they have touched a Cheongru child? I’ve never heard of them initiating an attack before.”

Dogyae tilted his head, equally perplexed.

“The Bi-Yeon Society is gathering intelligence, but there’s no mention of such provocation. According to reports, they were crossing the Gazel River as usual when the Cheongru suddenly attacked and destroyed half their boat.”

Glen slowly waved his hand.

“I’ve seen the Cheongru Tribe myself. They fled the moment they saw me, showed no aggression whatsoever—only mild curiosity.”
“Exactly! They’re quite innocent…”
“That’s uncertain. Since the Cheongru never leave water, there isn’t much reliable information about them. We don’t truly know what their nature is.”
“That’s true…”

Rimer nodded. Glen was right—there wasn’t much known about the Cheongru Tribe. What he’d witnessed was only one facet of their behavior.

“The Bi-Yeon Society will issue the mission once they’ve gathered sufficient intelligence, so you’ll have some time. Use that period to prepare for departure.”
“Understood. But…”

Rimer licked his lips and met Glen’s gaze.

“What exactly is the mission? Are we to restrain the Cheongru Tribe, drive them away, or…?”

He trailed off, leaving his question unfinished.

“Fundamentally, our mission is to find the cause of the Cheongru Tribe’s violent behavior and restrain them. If that fails, we’ll have to eliminate them.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”

Glen Zigheart nodded coldly without the slightest hesitation.

“Understood.”

Despite holding a rather favorable impression of the Cheongru Tribe, Rimer didn’t refute Glen’s words and accepted the directive. Yet his eyes grew far more shadowed than usual.

“Rimer.”

Glen called to him in a slightly lighter tone.

“Will you stop gambling now?”
“….”

Rimer didn’t answer, closing his eyes instead.

“You couldn’t achieve it yourself, but your disciple has. Surely you can let it go now.”
“Hmm.”

He turned to look at Dogyae and offered a faint smile.

“You’re right, Lord Zigheart. That old geezer wanted nothing more than to see someone achieve the Three Contracts for the first time.”

Dogyae’s crimson eyes trembled gently like a windswept lake.

“I suppose gambling can become merely a pastime now. Though I still need to earn money, of course.”

Rimer chuckled and turned his shoulders away.

“Rimer. Lingering attachments should be left to flow naturally. Especially holding onto another’s attachments—it’s both exhausting and foolish.”

Glen’s voice hung hollow and distant, more so than usual.

“I disagree with that sentiment.”

Rimer shook his head.

“I believe one should always seize the regrets of the living—just as with the dead.”

He wiped away the bitterness from moments before and smiled smoothly once more.

“The Family Head’s regrets must absolutely be fulfilled, I believe.”
“I have no regrets.”
“Ah, but you do! You’re so fond of Raon that—gack!”

Rimer hastily stepped into a movement technique, evading the crackling lightning that flashed from Glen’s hand.

“Since you’re still joking around, I suppose you’re worth keeping alive. Shall we begin properly?”
“W-wait, I have preparations for a mission, so I’ll be taking my leave!”

He kicked open the Audience Chamber door and fled outside.

“What exactly did you mean about Raon just now?”
“Nothing worth knowing. It was nonsense.”

Glen shook his head firmly, as if forbidding further thought on the matter.

“Hmm.”

Dogyae narrowed his eyes as he observed Glen, then straightened his posture.

“I shall take my leave as well.”

He bowed respectfully and turned to go.

“Harrian.”

Glen called out his name as Dogyae reached for the Audience Chamber door.

“Welcome back.”
“…Thank you.”

Dogyae bowed his head with a faint smile. After gazing at Glen for a moment, he left the Audience Chamber.

“Sigh.”

Glen frowned as he watched the door through which Rimer and Dogyae had departed.

“Foolish wretches. They could live in comfort without a soul to blame them….”

*

*

*

I made my way to the Bustling District alongside Yua and Julius. The reason I’d forgone training wasn’t laziness—it was the tenant clinging to my wrist.

-You won’t keep your promises unless I drag them out of you myself!

Wrath sat perched on my right shoulder, arms crossed, snorting derisively.

-When you need something done, you speak as though you’d tear out your own liver and gallbladder for me. But the moment it’s finished, you seal your lips shut!
‘I was planning to buy everything myself anyway.’
-That’s rich! If I hadn’t brought it up first, you’d still be standing before that mirror like a ghost, muttering about dawn sword training.
‘Ugh….’

I let out a groan as Wrath struck a nerve. Ever since receiving Dogyae’s advice, I’d been practicing swordplay exclusively before the mirror—I had no defense.

‘Which is exactly why I came out like this.’

To appease the irritable Wrath, I’d timed our departure for the lunch hour and brought Yua and Julius along as well, since they had no classes. It was a good opportunity to lift their spirits too.

“Is this your first time here? I’ll show you around.”

Yua bounded cheerfully through the Bustling District, her energy infectious.

“Yua!”
“Yua’s here! We just got fresh apples in—try one!”
“Yua! The pork’s excellent today—it’ll be delicious grilled!”

Merchants lining both sides of the Main Street waved at Yua with broad smiles. They all recognized her, likely because she came shopping with the servants regularly, and their warmth was genuine.

“I… I’m familiar with this place too.”

Julius’s pride was wounded by his lack of knowledge, so he put on airs as if he understood everything despite visiting for the first time.

“So what exactly is that shop?”
“Huh? Oh, it sells clothes….”
“Wrong! It’s a bakery!”
“Ugh….”

Julius’s face flushed red at Yua’s laughter.

‘Completely opposite, huh.’

I chuckled watching the two of them. Yua still thought of Julius only as a friend, while Julius regarded Yua as a rival. Since they held such different views of each other, their dynamic was endlessly entertaining.

-These kids are rather fun to watch.

Wrath also snickered at the pair.

‘So you do like the kids?’
-The True Demon King naturally looks after talent. Besides, the pineapple girl is my third attendant, is she not? It’s only right to care for her regardless of ability.

He still called Yua his attendant. His words about caring for and cherishing her seemed genuine. Of course, he actually did nothing for her.

‘Then why are you like that with me?’
-You! Didn’t you steal everything that belonged to the True Demon King!

Wrath surged with rage and cold energy as if about to explode. His aura flooded through my mana circuits like a tidal wave.

-Did you just provoke me? I absolutely cannot tolerate this!
“Raon! We’re here!”

Yua waved her hand from the Pearl Ice Cream Shop.

“Hmm?”

I didn’t move to block Wrath’s attack, but his rage and cold energy drained from my body like a receding tide in an instant.

-What are you doing! Hurry and go in!

Wrath forgot his own anger and stuck his tongue out like a puppy, eager to eat ice cream.

‘What an incredibly impressive True Demon King….’

I shook my head and entered the Ice Cream Shop.

“Both of you pick whatever you want to eat.”
“Yes!”
“Really, am I allowed to eat as well? I’ve already received so much kindness from you….”
“It’s fine. Pick some for the Annex Building people too.”

I laughed, cutting off Julius’s restrained words.

‘Then you… hmm?’

When I was about to tell Wrath to pick ice cream as well, I spotted a very familiar back of a head in the display window.

“Lunan?”
“Huh?”

The silver-haired woman who had her face pressed against the display window suddenly turned around. As expected, it was Lunan.

“What are you doing here… ah.”

Actually, that was an unnecessary question. It was on the same level as a cat passing by a fish shop.

“I was just looking.”

Lunan’s vacant eyes were filled with longing.

“Just looking?”

I tilted my head. I couldn’t understand why someone who could buy this entire shop if she wanted to was hesitating.

“Mother said I can only eat one a day.”

She lowered her head as she spoke. It seemed tears would soon fall from her violet eyes.

“Would you like to pick one?”
“I can’t. I made a promise with Mother….”

Lunan shook his head. Despite being filled with regret, he kept his promise—that was so like Lunan.

“Then let’s eat it later.”
“Okay….”

I left Lunan, who was silently nodding, and headed toward the display case.

‘What will you choose?’
-Hmm, I’ve felt it before, but the variety of ice cream flavors in this shop is far too limited.
‘There’s nothing we can do about it.’

Zigheart was a cold place year-round. Even though most residents had learned martial techniques and grown resistant to the chill, they naturally gravitated toward warm food rather than ice cream, so the shop’s selection had to be modest.

-I’ll fill an entire box with mint chocolate then.
‘A whole box of mint chocolate….’

I bit my lip hard. Just thinking about eating an entire box of that made my head throb already.

-Or should I make it two boxes? Let me think… Hmm?

Wrath narrowed his eyes as he stared at a flyer posted on the wall.

-What is that?

He pointed at a flyer depicting ice cream sandwiched between bread, like a sandwich.

‘I have no idea either.’

I turned my head and called over the Restaurant Manager.

“What is that?”
“It’s a new product I created.”

The mustachioed Restaurant Manager standing in front of the counter nodded.

“You created it?”
“Business has been slow lately, so I tried making it on a whim.”

He scratched his cheek as if embarrassed.

“I made it by placing ice cream between castella cake that’s been softened with plenty of milk. We call it a Pearl Ice Cream Sandwich.”
“A Pearl Ice Cream Sandwich….”

I licked my lips. Eating bread and ice cream together was certainly innovative.

-Hey! What are you doing! Order it right now! Right now!

Wrath’s eyes blazed like a puppy spotting food, and he drummed my wrist with his cotton-soft fists.

“Just one of these?”
“What flavor would you like?”
“Cookie and cream, please.”
“Me too!”
“M-mine as well, the same as Raon’s, please.”

Yua and Julius raised their hands, saying they’d have sandwiches too.

“Ah….”

I turned to look at Lunan standing blankly behind me and held up four fingers.

“Four of them, please.”
“Yes! Four cookie and cream sandwiches, order confirmed!”

The Restaurant Manager smiled and headed inside.

-This bastard! Should’ve gone with mint chocolate!
‘Ah, that’s true. Should I change it now?’
-Never mind. I can just order mint chocolate too.

Wrath licked his lips as he gazed at the ice cream, clearly planning to taste them all.

“Here you are.”

Since they’d prepared it in advance, it didn’t take long to make.

“Here, Lunan.”

I handed the sandwich to Lunan first.

“Huh? I was….”
“This isn’t a Pearl Ice Cream Shop treat—it’s a sandwich. Wouldn’t that work?”
“Oh!”

Lunan’s lips curved upward in a smile. I’d never seen her smile like this before.

“Yeah! Thank you.”

She nodded and took the ice cream sandwich. She turned it over and over, admiring its shape, and let out a soft laugh.

I distributed sandwiches to Yua and Julius as well, then claimed the last ice cream for myself.

“So this is a sandwich….”

Between the fluffy, delicate sponge cake lay cookies and cream, and my mouth watered at the sight. The round shape was as beautiful as a pearl ice cream, almost too lovely to eat.

-No time for admiration! Eat it already!
‘No matter how I look at it, he’s no gourmet.’

A true gourmet would savor the appearance of food, but I’d never seen Wrath do such a thing. He was nothing but a glutton obsessed with quantity.

I shook my head and brought the sandwich to my lips.

“Ah!”

An exclamation escaped me. The sponge cake enveloping the ice cream dissolved as softly as water-soaked paper, creating a fluffy texture, while the ice cream nestled between them, coating my tongue with sweetness and crispness. The unexpectedly harmonious flavor made me smile.

-Wow, here it comes….

Wrath’s eyes widened.

-To have lived thousands of years without knowing this taste—what a waste of a life!

He muttered something strange, then muttered about being a demon. He was utterly mad.

-The flavors of both ingredients are exquisite, but their flaws vanish! It’s the perfect food!

Wrath trembled as though on the verge of fainting.

‘A shortcoming?’
-The castella’s dryness is balanced by the ice cream, and the ice cream’s overly cold, rigid texture is softened by the castella’s delicate crumb. This is a perfect food!
‘Harmony and balance….’

I stared blankly at the sandwich with half remaining.

-Every ingredient has strengths and weaknesses. This is the finest food—one that uses its strengths to eliminate its weaknesses. I could eat nothing but this for the rest of my life!
‘So the strengths of each ingredient can offset the weaknesses of the other.’
-If you understand, stop muttering and eat what’s left! I cannot bear this any longer.

Wrath danced, shaking his body with excitement.

I nodded and placed the remaining ice cream sandwich into my mouth. Now that Wrath had explained it, I could certainly see how the strengths of both ingredients were neutralizing their weaknesses.

-Ahhhhh! Exquisite! Now order a sandwich with mint chocolate! My hands are trembling with anticipation!

Wrath’s entire body was quivering with eager expectation.

‘Harmony….’

But I wasn’t listening to Wrath anymore. I was staring at the ice cream sandwich flyer, muttering only the word harmony.

‘Perhaps I could create harmony in swordsmanship this way….’
-What are you doing?
‘If I use the impact from Sound Blade to compensate for Phantom Blade’s slow activation….’
-Raon Zigheart?
-Hey! Hey, you bastard!

Even as Wrath struck my forearm and shoulder, I didn’t respond.

-To eat something this delicious and then fall into a trance—what kind of torture is this!

Wrath shrieked, but my pupils grew progressively more unfocused.

-You demonic bastard!

*

*

*

“Where am I…?”

I blinked my eyes in confusion.

“What happened?”

I was in a room in the Annex Building. I’d definitely been eating an ice cream sandwich at the shop, but somehow I’d ended up back in my chamber.

-What do you mean “what”? You’ve lost your mind!

Wrath’s furious voice came from my shoulder.

“Huh?”
-You got so absorbed eating that ice cream sandwich that you fell into a trance! You blockhead!
“Oh!”

I chuckled softly. Now that he mentioned it, I remembered—I’d been so lost in thought about harmonizing two sword techniques while eating the sandwich that I’d completely zoned out.

-You’re laughing? You find this funny?

Wrath ground his teeth and thrust his face closer. His round eyes bubbled with indignation.

-You said you’d buy everything, yet the True Demon King only got a single sandwich! And not even mint chocolate—cookies and cream! Cookies and cream!
“But it was delicious, wasn’t it?”
-That’s… well!

Wrath’s eyes darted away.

-Regardless, you still haven’t kept your promise to buy me an ice cream set! Don’t you dare change your story later—remember this clearly!
“Yes, yes.”

I nodded slowly.

“Did I at least pay?”
-Even in that dazed state, you bought sandwiches for the Charm Girl, the children, and all the attendants! The only one you didn’t get anything for was the True Demon King! Hmph!

Wrath pounded his chest as if his fury knew no bounds.

-I find absolutely nothing to like about this! I really wanted to try that mint chocolate sandwich!
“Sorry. I’ll go again tomorrow.”

I smiled faintly and patted Wrath’s back gently.

-Do you take the True Demon King for a fool! I won’t fall for your sweet words, not ever!

Wrath turned his head away sharply, clearly unconvinced.

“This time, I really mean it.”
-Hmm….

Wrath’s round eyes rolled sideways as if he’d forgotten what he’d said just a second ago. It was almost amusing now—a Demon King so pure and innocent when food was involved.

-I don’t believe you.
“Thanks to the hint you gave me, I saved a lot of time.”

I tapped my sword sheath and smiled.

-A hint? All I did was curse at you! Madman, blockhead, fool who’ll die by the blade….

Wrath tilted his head in confusion as he recited all the insults he’d hurled at me.

“What you said before helped. About how we offset each other’s weaknesses.”

I stood before the full-length mirror I’d placed for training. I met my own crimson eyes, which gleamed with an otherworldly light, and grinned.

“Because of that, a new sword technique came to me.”

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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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