The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 307

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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 307

I closed my eyes as I gazed upon the distant castle walls of Zigheart.

‘We’ve finally arrived.’

Observing the castle walls that had endured countless ages, I recalled the gazes of those I’d encountered upon my return.

‘Reverence.’

Unlike before this incident, people now regarded Zigheart with eyes filled with respect and awe.

Zigheart had always been a great house belonging to the Six Emperors Five Demons, yet it had never received particularly high regard within that circle.

[A sinking ship.]
[A forgotten loser.]
[A collapsed power.]
[A rusted blade.]

Having stagnated for so long, phrases befitting a fallen house had become attached to Zigheart’s name.

But everything changed through this ordeal.

‘Everyone looked up to us.’

Those I encountered upon returning to the house cheered Zigheart’s name and proclaimed it the mightiest of all houses, their eyes gleaming with reverence.

The Six Emperors Five Demons—the apex force of the Continent. Among them, Zigheart had become recognized as the pinnacle.

‘All of this….’

I clenched my teeth as I watched the back of Glen Zigheart, who still led the way ahead.

‘It’s all thanks to the Head of House.’

There was no other reason. Zigheart’s renown had soared to the heavens because of a single transcendent who had driven back the White Blood Cult Master and Tacheon alone.

‘He really is different.’

To shake an entire Continent with individual might—it was an astounding power. I couldn’t even grasp the hem of Glen Zigheart’s robe in my current state.

-Tsk, tsk.

Wrath rose from the ice flower bracelet and clicked his tongue.

-You don’t even think of becoming like that old man, yet you only gawk in admiration. How pathetic.
‘I’m not just admiring him.’
-What?
‘I’m watching his back so I can catch up to the Head of House.’

Glen Zigheart was a sky impossibly high and distant, but I had no intention of merely gazing upward forever.

‘I need to reach out.’

I was changing too.

I had firmly established myself at the intermediate Master level, my swordsmanship and aura had advanced dramatically, and my physical abilities had grown to a degree incomparable to before.

‘I even obtained a hint about Sword Realm Manifestation.’

By directly accessing my Mental Realm, I had grasped the thread leading to Sword Realm Manifestation.
Though there had been burdensome trials, the rewards I gained in return made the outcome satisfying overall.

‘Still, there are regrets.’

After my body recovered, I wanted to train and spar, but I couldn’t move freely because I was conscious of Glen Zigheart’s gaze. I regretted not having engaged in sparring or actual combat for so long.

“We greet the Head of House!”

As I was lost in thought, I had already arrived at the main gate. The swordsmen guarding it shouted at the top of their lungs and opened the doors.

Following Glen Zigheart through the gate, I spotted familiar faces on the left side.

“Raon….”
“Young Master!”

Sylvia, Helen, and the handmaidens waited inside the castle wall. All of them had reddened eyes, as if they would burst into tears at the slightest touch.

*Tsk.*

Dogyae stood beside them, and from the way his twisted mouth clicked his tongue, it seemed like his own peculiar way of greeting me—a job well done.

*Mm…*

Seeing their faces, my chest tightened. I wanted to rush over immediately, but the return ritual wasn’t complete yet, so I couldn’t move recklessly.

“Everyone worked hard.”

Glen Zigheart gazed at Sylvia for a moment, then turned away with cold eyes.

“Dismiss yourselves.”

He waved his hand lightly and headed toward the Main Mansion.

“Thank you for your hard work!”

The family’s swordsmen immediately dismounted and bowed their heads to Glen Zigheart.

I bowed to Glen Zigheart as well, then rushed toward where Sylvia and the handmaidens were waiting.

“I’m back—”
“Raon!”
“Young Master!”
“Young Master…”

Before I could finish speaking, they all rushed at me like they were headbutting.

“Raon. Raon. Raon…”

Sylvia clung to my neck, calling my name over and over. Her hands trembled.

“Thank goodness! Thank goodness!”

Helen gripped my hand tightly, tears streaming endlessly down her face. I’d never seen her cry like this before.

“Nooooo! Raon!”
“Sniffle!”

Yua clung to my pants, sobbing uncontrollably, while Julius, still trying to maintain his composure as a warrior, merely pouted with his lips thrust out.

“Young Master. You’re all right, aren’t you?”
“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
“Nooooo!”
“Waahhh!”

The handmaidens rushed forward as well, their eyes swollen with tears. My clothes were becoming completely drenched.

“….”

Judith alone remained silent, standing quietly in the background without shedding a tear.

‘What… what is this…’
-Sniffle!

As I stood bewildered, Wrath sniffled and looked up at the empty air.

-What do you mean “what”? Causing people to worry is a sin!

Wrath spoke words unbecoming of a Demon King, his expression stern.

-From now on, treat them well! They are the only ones who think of you without any ulterior motive.
‘I know.’

I bit my lip hard.

‘I was such a fool.’

I’d only thought that everyone would be happy because I’d returned alive. But they were worried about me far more than they were joyful.

Countless accumulated worries had burst forth, and they could no longer control their emotions.

“I came back too late.”

I pulled Sylvia, Helen, and all the handmaidens into my embrace and closed my eyes. With genuine feelings overflowing from my trembling heart, I opened my mouth to speak.

“I’m sorry for worrying you.”

*

*

*

“…So it was thanks to the Head of House that I managed to return alive.”

Raon sat in Sylvia’s chamber, holding her hand as he recounted everything that had transpired.

“Th-thank goodness.”

Despite her tears, fresh moisture still gathered at the corners of Sylvia’s eyes, as if her sorrow had no end.

“I should go thank Father properly.”

Sylvia wiped her tears with the back of her hand and laughed softly.

“Thank him?”
“Your father and sister—I still haven’t forgotten them. If I’d lost you to Eden as well, I wouldn’t have had the will to go on.”
“Don’t say things like that.”

Her words pierced my chest like a blade. I finally understood what it felt like to be the object of everyone’s concern.

“I understand.”

Sylvia tapped the back of my hand knowingly and smiled.

“But…”
“Hmm?”
“What kind of person was Father?”

Until now, I hadn’t cared enough to ask, but through this ordeal, having come to understand what a house truly meant, I found myself curious.

“Your father was an idiot.”
“An idiot?”
“He had nothing to boast about. Well, except his height—he was taller than you are now. Almost like a pillar.”

Sylvia gazed up at the ceiling, a faint smile crossing her lips.

“His swordsmanship was remarkable in terms of raw skill alone. But his talent with aura was abysmal.”
“Then why….”
“Why did I marry him?”
“Yes.”

No matter how much the family had ostracized her, Sylvia was of the Main Lineage, a swordmaster hailed as a genius, and possessed striking beauty. It made no sense that she would have chosen someone whose only merit was exceptional swordsmanship.

“He was magnificent. He understood his limitations yet never ceased striving. He drew his blade not for himself, but for others.”
“I see….”
“He never accumulated wealth—only losses—yet he never lost his smile. He was an interesting man.”

Vitality and longing mingled in Sylvia’s voice.

“In many ways, you’re like him now. If your father had been stronger, you would have become exactly like him.”

A tremor ran through her hand as she held mine.

“I hoped you would become someone who understands the suffering of others, just as he did, and that you would live as a true Zigheart swordmaster. But when I heard you’d been taken… I can’t tell you how much I regretted those words.”

Sylvia whispered an apology, exhaling softly.

“I’ve wronged you so much, my child….”
“No.”

I shook my head and squeezed her trembling hand firmly.

“I survived because of those words.”

What Sylvia had told me became the greatest aid in becoming truly human. Without hearing that, I might have continued walking a solitary path consumed by myself, just as I had in my past life.

Her words—to live as a human, to live as a swordmaster—transformed me from a hunting hound with a severed leash into a person capable of feeling.

“Thank you.”

I gently patted Sylvia’s shoulder. She didn’t respond. The tension had drained from her, and she had fallen asleep.

I draped a blanket over Sylvia and stepped out of the bedroom, returning to my chamber with an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
Perhaps it was because I’d made peace with death—the room felt like a sanctuary I’d returned to after years away.

‘But then….’

I narrowed my eyes as I gazed at the ice flower bracelet adorning my wrist.

‘Why are you being so quiet?’

The creature who normally clamored incessantly for food was unusually silent, which oddly unsettled me.

-The True Demon King is a noble and beautiful sovereign of wrath who knows precisely when to intervene.

Wrath climbed onto the bracelet, his expression stern.

-Since I refrained from disrupting the atmosphere, you shall indulge me with whatever I desire for tonight’s meal.
‘Of course.’

I couldn’t help but laugh at Wrath’s solemn demeanor in his cotton candy form, though I was genuinely grateful.
Since tonight’s dinner would be lavish anyway, I decided to let him eat whatever he wished.

Knock, knock, knock.

As I chuckled and removed my outer robe, three sharp knocks sounded at the door—Judith’s signal, one I hadn’t heard in ages.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Judith entered with her perpetually unchanged expression.

“Dinner preparations will be complete shortly.”
“Understood.”
“The lady must be resting.”
“How did you know?”
“Since the news of your abduction, the lady has scarcely slept. Not just her—everyone in the Annex Building has been without rest.”

Her words seemed to include herself as well. I felt a peculiar mixture of guilt and quiet joy.

“And….”

Judith handed me a piece of paper.

“What is this?”
“A letter that Ensia left behind.”
“She left it?”
“She departed before news of your kidnapping reached us.”
“I see….”

I nodded. I’d thought the Annex Building seemed unusually quiet, but now I understood—Ensia had been absent.

‘So I’ve grown accustomed to her presence.’

I chuckled softly and opened the envelope. Three pages of letter paper lay inside.

[To the devastatingly handsome Raon. It’s such a shame to leave without seeing that beautiful face. If I see you again, I’ll express my feelings about that face in the most uninhibited way….]
“Good grief.”

Most of the first page was devoted to my appearance. I quickly turned to the next page.

[I’ve made considerable progress on the design for an artificial dantian for Sylvia. There’s a problem though—I need some rare materials. A dragon heart….]
“A dragon heart?”

My jaw dropped at such an absurd material.

[…is far too difficult to obtain. Instead, I’ll need a drake heart and a sea serpent heart. If I connect those two, I should be able to create a dantian capable of withstanding even a Grand Master-level aura.]

The second page concluded with her explanation that she was returning to her family to perfect the design further and to procure the materials.

[I’m so reluctant to leave. Since it’s come to this, I really wish I could see Raon’s uninhibited face one more time….]

The third page also dwelled on my appearance. Only the second letter contained any substantive information.

‘That’s so like Ensia.’

I smiled and carefully returned the pages to the envelope.

‘A drake and a sea serpent….’

They were known as the flying dragon and sea dragon respectively—supreme-tier monsters that possessed mana hearts in their necks. They were formidable and rare creatures, but not entirely impossible to find.

‘This could work.’

My fist clenched at the mere thought of being able to create Sylvia’s dantian—something that had seemed like nothing but a dream.

“I will also submit a report regarding the Central Intelligence Agency.”

Judith knelt and bowed her head.

“The Central Intelligence Agency Master Karun has returned, but he shows no particular movements. It seems he is watching the Head of House’s mood.”
“That would be the case.”

During the attack on the Eden Branch, even the sword masters of the Central Intelligence Agency—currently under activity restrictions—had moved into action.
They were desperate to lift their suspension period by any means, so they likely had no room for schemes.

“From today on, I will carefully monitor their movements.”
“Good. Thank you for your efforts.”
“Yes. Then….”
“Wait.”

I called out to Judith as she turned to leave the room.

“There’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
“Please speak.”

She nodded stiffly, like an emotionless doll.

“Information about the Six Emperors Five Demons will arrive from the Black Market soon. I need you to analyze what’s useful and what isn’t.”
“Information from the Black Market?”
“Yes. In this matter….”

I told Judith how I had turned the Black Market Master to my advantage.

“Ah, you defeated the Black Market Master and the Sword Realm Master….”
“It wasn’t that impressive. They simply underestimated me. And….”

I shook my head slowly and continued.

“Tell me about your younger sibling as well.”
“Pardon?”

Judith’s pupils trembled violently.

“W-what do you mean all of a sudden…?”
“I also asked the Black Market Master to help find someone. I promised I’d find your sister, didn’t I?”

I sat on the edge of the bed and smiled.

“You… you didn’t forget about that?”
“Of course not.”

I had never forgotten my promise to find Judith’s lost sister, only lacking the opportunity until now.
With the Black Market Master’s assurance, I would at least be able to learn her current condition.

“Ah…”

Judith’s jaw trembled as she looked at me.

‘He was serious?’

Though she had said she trusted me, as time passed, there were no signs of me finding her sister.
Knowing how difficult it would be to find her sibling, she had already half-given up, never imagining I would ask the Black Market Master for help.

‘I could have asked for something else…’

Only the highest-ranking officials of great houses and kingdoms could meet with the Black Market Master. She couldn’t believe he had used such a precious opportunity—one he could have requested for anything—for her sake.

“Is it… really okay for me to use that? That person is…”
“A promise must be kept.”
“Ugh…”

Seeing my selfless nod, her chest churned and her mind went blank. Her vision blurred, and she couldn’t see clearly ahead.

“It’s fine. Tell me about your sister.”
“M-my sister’s name is Jubel. She should be twenty-one now. She’s from Entinka Village, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a small scar on her forehead. We were sold together to the Central Intelligence Agency, and after that, I… I haven’t seen her since…”
“I see.”

I nodded, committing Jubel’s details to memory. Now that I understood how precious family truly was, I had wanted to find her sister first whenever the opportunity arose. I felt sorry it had taken me this long to keep my promise.

“Thank you. Really…”

Judith lowered her head, her complexion pale. For the first time in ages, she revealed her true face, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“We’ll find her.”

I offered a gentle smile and patted her shoulder.

A soft sigh escaped.

As the two of us shared this tender moment, Wrath let out a deep exhale.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

Wrath spiraled through the air, his form expanding. He transformed into an enormous cotton candy and cried out.

“The food’s getting cold!”

*

*

*

A week later.

I returned to the 5th Training Ground for the first time in what felt like forever. The rest period hadn’t ended yet, so the training grounds were empty, but everything was meticulously organized as if cleaned just yesterday.

I warmed up slowly. My body felt light. Now, without needing to worry about Glen or Sylvia’s concerns, my body had fully recovered.

“Exhale.”

I steadied my breathing and drew the Heavenly Sword.

A crystalline ring sang out.

The clear blade’s resonance stirred the depths of my soul. As I activated the Manhwa Palace, the crimson aura of heat surged through my mana circuits like a raging torrent.

A deep, resonant hum filled the air.

Scarlet flames bloomed along the sword’s edge. Powerful energy flowed forth as naturally as water, its magnificent form as grand as sunlight cascading through the sky.

‘Certainly, I’ve changed.’

Not just my swordsmanship realm, but my martial arts foundation itself has risen.

As my swordsmanship realm ascended, my ability to control aura grew exponentially. The power, durability, and endurance—everything now stood on an entirely different level than before.

‘The quantity of aura is incomparable.’

The mana embedded in the souls of Rocta and the Lava Crocodile King had finally been completely absorbed, and the size of my dantian, along with Glacia and the Manhwa Palace within it, had visibly expanded compared to before.

Zzzzzing!

I stepped forward with my left foot and unfolded the Gwangah Sword. A chilling momentum, like a ravenous beast sinking its fangs into prey, slashed through the empty air.

Whoooosh!

Following that, the strike coming from the left side emanated a sharpness that could cleave even the atmosphere itself.
Each sword technique I displayed with the Gwangah Sword trembled as if alive. I could clearly feel that my strength had grown to another level.

‘Still…’

It would take considerable time to regain my combat instincts.

My martial arts foundation, including swordsmanship and aura, had undoubtedly grown, but it had been a long time since I’d wielded my blade against an opponent.
I needed extensive real combat to fully adapt to my increased capabilities and elevated realm.

‘Is anyone around?’

As I was licking my lips and unfolding the Snowwind Sword Technique, the Training Ground door burst open roughly.

“As expected, you’re here.”

Rimer walked in with a smirk, chuckling softly.

“You cunning fellow. I knew it.”
“Unit Master. Welcome.”

I smiled and bowed my head respectfully.

“Huh? When you smile like that, it makes me uneasy for some reason.”

Rimer narrowed his eyes and took a cautious step back. His instincts were sharp when it came to moments like this.

“How about a sparring match?”
“A, a sparring match?”
“I haven’t wielded a sword in a long time, so I’d like to sharpen my senses. Come at me.”
“Come at you? What are you, some kind of thug?”

He opened his mouth in disbelief.

“Cut me some slack. I’m already tired of getting beaten by the higher-ups. If I lose to you too, my mind won’t be able to handle it.”

Rimer shook his head, saying he still wasn’t ready.

“Besides, I’m a patient….”
“It’s fine.”

I smiled and spun the Heavenly Sword around.

“I’ll keep it light. Very light.”
“You might keep it light, but everyone else will find it heavy!”

Rimer cried out in protest. After seeing what happened to the Gwangpung Unit, if he fought that monster with his aura now, he’d be pulverized.

“Don’t back out….”
“There’s no need.”

A deep voice came from the doorway. Dogyae entered the Training Ground with slow, measured steps.

“There’s a place full of sparring partners for this weakling instead.”
“Pardon?”
“The Yukhwanghoe.”

Dogyae twisted his mouth as he looked at me.

“The Yukhwanghoe is opening.”

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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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