The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 314

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

Chapter 314

I rubbed my eyes and gazed upon the squirrel perched atop the drawer.

‘It really is a squirrel….’

Was I dreaming?

Looking again, there was nothing extraordinary about it. A perfectly ordinary squirrel devoid of any magical aura, sorcery, aura technique, or even mana—nothing at all. I couldn’t believe this creature had actually spoken.

“You’re staring at me so openly that I’m getting a little embarrassed.”

The squirrel turned its head slightly, wearing a gentle smile.

“Hah….”

Hearing the squirrel’s soft, measured tone, my mouth fell open of its own accord. This was no dream.

“What exactly are you?”
“You called out my name, didn’t you?”

The squirrel lowered its tiny paws bashfully and let out a faint laugh.
I had never realized that a squirrel could be so expressive with its features.

“It’s been a while, Raon.”
“Merlin….”

I bit my lip. Just as I had sensed from the beginning, Merlin’s soul dwelled within this squirrel.

“There’s nothing more thrilling than hearing my name from your voice.”

Merlin swept back her hair—or rather, attempted to, but given her current squirrel form, all she managed was to brush the fur around her head.

-That obsessive woman?

Wrath recoiled in shock, scrambling backward.

—I knew you weren’t dead, but to think you’d track me down here! This is absolutely insane, beyond what I can handle!

Wrath’s jaw trembled as he questioned how such a person could even exist.

—Ugh, the trauma is coming back to me.

Wrath collapsed onto the bed, clutching his head.

‘If you knew I wasn’t dead, you could’ve at least mentioned it.’

I furrowed my brow as I watched Wrath thrashing about.

“I’m right here. Where are you looking?”

Merlin sat perched atop the dresser, wiggling her fingers in what seemed like an attempt at seduction, though all I could see was her fluffy tail swaying back and forth.

“So you didn’t die after all?”
“Were you worried about me? How delightful!”
“Sigh…”

A sigh escaped me unbidden. Judging by how our conversation wasn’t getting through, Merlin was definitely herself.

“How did you even manage to survive that place?”
“Even a rabbit knows to dig an escape hole. A person should at least have a lifeline.”

Merlin waved her hand as if questioning why I’d ask something so obvious.

“Still, I sacrificed quite a lot thanks to your Grandfather.”

As she continued speaking, her expression grew bitter. Joy followed by regret. It was remarkable how expressive she could be even in the form of a squirrel.

“Is Geummyeonsa alive too?”
“Geummyeonsa is dead.”
“I see…”

Merlin’s tone seemed slightly off, but I nodded anyway.

“So you took on that squirrel’s form to survive?”
“No. My body is elsewhere. Why do you want to see it?”
“There’s no way that’s true.”

I let out a deep sigh and shook my head. We’d barely spoken, and I was already exhausted.

“Then what is this form?”
“When I heard that the Yukhwanghoe was being held, I very slowly used a method to embed my consciousness into this squirrel. Since I didn’t touch this child’s body or soul, no one could possibly know.”

Merlin hadn’t used mana or magic, and since she had no intention of attacking using this squirrel, everyone simply regarded it as an ordinary squirrel.

“There was no mention of me attending the Yukhwanghoe, was there? Besides, the fact that it’s being held in Owen only spread recently.”
“Since you’re a party involved in this conference, I naturally thought you’d come. Just in case, I scattered small animals throughout the Six Emperors so they wouldn’t be suspected.”

Merlin covered her mouth with a finger and giggled.

“Insane…”

Those were the only words that came out.

‘This is actually terrifying…’

Chills ran down my spine at the revelation that she’d not only predicted my movements but had scattered small animals throughout the entire Six Emperors to prepare for any situation.

-Grrrgh!

Wrath covered his ears as if he didn’t want to hear it. It seemed that creature had also suffered from such obsession before.

“So why did you come find me?”
“Family should be together, obviously.”

Merlin laughed as if questioning why I’d even ask such a thing.

“It’s a shame I can’t hold you like I did when I was there in this form.”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Then who do you think laid you on the bed? When you were wearing that mask, you even slept with your head on my lap.”
“Mm…”

Honestly, I didn’t remember. I only recalled sitting in a chair and then waking up lying on the floor.

“Enough of your nonsense. Be honest with me. Why did you come?”
“I was worried about you.”

Merlin’s previously animated voice grew quiet for the first time.

“With the Head of House beside you—someone who crushes even your leaders effortlessly—there’s no need to worry….”
“Tacheon is targeting you.”

As I was about to bring up Glen’s name, Merlin shook her head.

“Targeting me?”

Raon frowned as he looked at Merlin.

“Is it because the Head of House came looking for me and dealt catastrophic damage to Eden?”
“No.”

Merlin shook her head firmly. The squirrel form she had taken was beginning to feel natural to me.

“Because of your future.”
“My future?”
“Tacheon believes you’ll become Eden’s greatest obstacle in achieving its grand purpose. He intends to kill you while he has this opportunity.”
“This opportunity?”
“He’s exhausted considerable power in various ways, so he can’t move as freely as he’d like.”

She laughed, saying that if I could just endure this, everything would be fine.

“I don’t know exactly when during the conference he’ll strike. But not when the leaders of the Six Emperors like your grandfather are nearby.”

That made sense. No matter how subtly Tacheon plotted, he couldn’t escape Glen’s perception.

“You borrowed an animal’s body just to tell me this?”

I narrowed my eyes as I gestured toward Merlin in her squirrel form.

“Of course. You’re family, after all.”

Merlin nodded, rubbing her head vigorously.

“Hmm….”

I bit my lip.

‘How am I supposed to respond to this?’

I had already thought Merlin was insane when she threw her full strength at blocking the White Blood Sect and Eden, but I never imagined she would go so far as to share information like this.
Knowing why she was doing all this made me feel a pang of guilt.

“Look, I—”
“Oh, there’s one more thing.”

Merlin raised a finger.

“I heard this on the way here—your name came out of Derus Robert’s mouth.”
“What?”

I hadn’t expected Derus to be mentioned so suddenly, so I lifted my head sharply.

“He was looking at you strangely, so I approached him as if by chance. Your name came up twice in a single sentence—Raon and Raon Zigheart. Isn’t that a bit odd?”
“What happened after that?”
“I couldn’t hear anymore because of his aura. If I’d gotten any closer, this body would have been torn apart.”

She clicked her tongue, regretting that she hadn’t enhanced the squirrel’s hearing even more.

“Raon and Raon Zigheart. Twice, you say…?”

I swallowed hard.

‘No way.’

It wasn’t common for someone to mention a person’s name twice in a single sentence.
Moreover, hearing “Raon” and “Raon Zigheart” together set off alarm bells in my mind.

‘Is that bastard suspecting that my past life and my current self are connected?’

It was absurd, but among all the possibilities running through my head based on Merlin’s words, this seemed the most probable.

‘Let me think about this.’

How many assassinations have I carried out?

The first was when I targeted Green Warrior from behind, but no outsider witnessed it. The second was when I cut down the 4th Apostle, and quite a few people saw that.

‘That alone wouldn’t be enough for him to recognize me.’

Just in case, instead of using the assassination techniques I’d learned from the Robert Family, I employed an assassination sword that applied the swordsmanship I’d cultivated thus far.
The warriors present there wouldn’t have been able to discern it.

‘Then that means he doesn’t have certainty.’

If Derus Robert had been certain when I met him, he would have definitely asked probing questions.
Based on the situation so far, Derus Robert’s suspicion wasn’t that severe.

‘Now I understand.’

The strange look in Derus Robert’s eyes when we first met wasn’t because of the Yonan Family matter, but because he suspected me of being Raon from my past life.

‘Why would he suspect that? He’s not insane enough to compare me just because we share the same name.’

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t fathom why Derus Robert would suspect me of being Raon from my past life.

‘No. What matters now isn’t that.’

I need to figure out how to evade Derus Robert’s suspicion.

Whoooosh.

I exhaled all the oxygen from my lungs and closed my eyes.

‘What will the suspicious Derus Robert do…’

It’s obvious. He’ll have Matio check if there are still traces of an assassin lingering on me.

Matio was Derus Robert’s closest confidant and shadow butler—the one who had brainwashed me and trained me as an assassin.
He would undoubtedly observe my every move and gesture to confirm the traces of an assassin.

‘A meaningless effort, though.’

I bit my lip and offered a cool smile.

‘I’ve already erased it all.’

After identifying Roen as an assassin, I had methodically eliminated every trace—every gesture, every movement, every habit that would betray my former nature.

Thanks to Sylvia, my very mindset had transformed from assassin to swordsman. No matter how much Matio claimed to be my instructor and mentor, he would never detect the truth.

‘Still, better to be cautious.’

I mentally rehearsed my movements, examining my body’s mechanics from every angle before nodding in satisfaction.

“Are you finished thinking?”

Merlin, who had been gnawing at the drawer, laughed awkwardly. It seemed she couldn’t fully suppress her squirrel instincts.

“Yeah. Thank you.”

I bowed my head to Merlin. Though this had unfolded due to her misunderstanding, I had genuinely received tremendous help. I spoke my gratitude with sincerity.

“Family doesn’t exchange such words.”

Merlin repeated the exact words Sylvia had once spoken to me. My chest tightened.

“You don’t need to say things like that.”

She descended from the drawer and placed her small hand upon mine. Warmth radiated from her delicate fingers.

“….”

For a moment—just a moment—I considered exploiting Merlin.
If I leveraged the unconditional affection of a Grand Master-class mage, it would prove invaluable for what lay ahead.

‘No. No, that’s wrong.’

I struck my own cheek hard. The sharp crack echoed through the silent chamber.

“Raon?”
-Have you lost your mind too?

Merlin and Wrath’s eyes widened.

‘That’s right. It’s madness.’

If I were to use Merlin like that, I’d be no different from Derus Robert—someone who kindles vengeance even after rebirth.
Even if she were my enemy, I couldn’t mock someone’s entire life like that.

“Let me say this once more. Thank you for the information. But I’m not Rocta Deport, your family member. His soul has been absorbed into me.”

I spoke honestly to Merlin about what had transpired in the Mental Realm.

“He no longer exists in this world. I’m your enemy, not someone who can help you.”
“Did Rocta say anything at the end?”
“You….”

I closed my eyes. His final words still lingered in my memory. They weren’t particularly special, yet I knew I would never forget them for as long as I lived.

“He was worried about you. He said that while you carry guilt, there were reasons behind the sins you committed.”
“I see… so that’s how it was….”

I waited for resentment to come from Merlin, but she remained silent for a long while.

“Raon. You really are Rocta.”

Merlin smiled softly. It was the kind of expression a squirrel with a belly full of sunflower seeds would wear.

“Rocta is a knight, so he wouldn’t do anything shameful.”
“I’m not Rocta!”
“I told you before. As long as Rocta’s soul dwells within you, you are Rocta to me.”
“I am Raon Zigheart.”
“I’ll call you by that name then. Raon.”
“Ugh….”

I bit my lip. Just when I thought it might be settled, she started insisting again.

“It doesn’t matter if my love is one-sided. As I said, that’s what family is.”
“I’m not your family….”
“Oh, time’s almost up.”

Merlin’s voice trembled, and the squirrel’s fur stood on end.

“If these thoughts persist any longer, it will burden this child too. I hope you survive this time as well.”

She smiled one last time and waved her paw. Though she wore the form of an adorable squirrel, I felt as though I were witnessing Merlin’s true farewell.

“When I disappear, please feed this child for me. That was our agreement, after all.”

As those final words ended, the squirrel’s eyes cleared.

Squeak?

The squirrel, regaining consciousness, stared blankly at me before scurrying into the corner of the bed to hide.

-Obsession beyond madness. It was truly terrifying….

Wrath’s jaw trembled as he gazed at the drawer where Merlin had been.

‘Perhaps so.’
-Why are you surrounded by nothing but lunatics?!
‘Hmm….’

I couldn’t bring myself to say that you were ‘the strangest of them all.’

Knock, knock.

Just as I was about to call the squirrel, which had shaken its head and crawled under the bed, a knock sounded from outside.

“Master! Why aren’t you coming! It’s our turn to enter!”

It was Dorian’s urgent voice.

“Dorian, come in for a moment.”
“Yes?”

He opened the door and stepped inside.

“Do you have any nuts?”
“Of course we do. Peanuts? Almonds? Walnuts? Pistachios? Sunflower seeds? Pine nuts? Pumpkin seeds? Cashews? We have everything.”

It had been a while since I felt it, but truly, the preparation was remarkable.

“Sunflower seeds and peanuts.”
“Yes!”

Dorian nodded and pulled out a cylindrical container filled with nuts from his pocket, handing over sunflower seeds and peanuts.

“Come on out.”

As I slowly passed the peanuts and sunflower seeds under the bed, the squirrel picked them up one by one in its mouth and slowly emerged from beneath the bed.

“Huh? A squirrel? Why is there a squirrel here?”
“I was feeling lonely.”

I chuckled wryly and picked up the squirrel, which had stuffed even the sunflower seeds from my palm into its cheek pouches, and set it down by the window. It glanced back for a moment, tilted its head curiously, then disappeared toward the Garden.

I gazed at the setting sun for a moment before donning my outer coat.

“Let’s go.”

*

*

*

Following Dorian toward the Banquet Hall, I saw no one else around—only Zigheart swordsmen waiting at the entrance.

‘As expected, we were the last to arrive.’

By tradition, those of lower rank and seniority entered first, so Zigheart would be the last to enter.

“Hey, Raon. You’ve grown quite a bit? Making me wait like this?”

Rimer approached with a swaggering gait and furrowed his brow.

“A vice-leader daring to speak to the leader like that… Cough!”
“You’re the one wasting time.”

Of course, before I could even provoke him, Sheryl landed a sharp elbow to my ribs, sending me stumbling sideways.

“Raon. Did something happen?”

Lunan Slion approached with a tilted head.

“No. Nothing in particular.”

I offered a faint smile and shook my head. It was troubling, certainly, but not something I could burden others with.

“Head of House. Everyone has assembled.”

Sheryl bowed toward the waiting room on the right, and the door swung open to reveal Glen Zigheart. Rather than formal attire, he wore his usual uniform—yet somehow it suited him even more.

“Let’s go.”

He glanced in my direction for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly before he gave a small nod.

“Yes, sir!”

Led by Sheryl, the Zigheart swordsmen responded in unison and took their positions before the Banquet Hall’s entrance, following Glen.

“We welcome the heroes of Zigheart.”

The knights guarding the door drove their spears downward against the floor, and the Banquet Hall’s doors swung wide. Simultaneously, the Announcer’s grand proclamation swept through the hall.

[The Northern Destruction King Glen Zigheart and the heroes of Zigheart now enter!]

The bustling atmosphere of the Banquet Hall froze in an instant, and every eye turned toward us.

“That man is the Northern Destruction King, Glen Zigheart.”
“No, seriously? What kind of presence does he have…?”
“Ugh, I can barely breathe.”
“Was it true that he alone overwhelmed the White Blood Cult Master and Tacheon?”
“He’s even more formidable than before. I can’t even look him in the eye….”

Those who faced Glen were overwhelmed by his overwhelming presence, unable to lift their gazes or meet his eyes, their jaws trembling.

‘Terrifying indeed.’

Typically, the strong conceal their aura to some degree, but Glen possessed a nature that displayed his power openly—causing everyone’s faces to blanch.

‘This is rather convenient.’

I felt the oppressive atmosphere settle and smiled faintly.

‘No one’s paying attention to me.’

With Glen drawing all eyes upon himself, I had no need to artificially suppress my presence. It seemed I could accomplish my purpose here with ease.

“Please, come this way.”

King Lecross, already seated upon the platform as the master of this place, gestured to the seat beside him with a gentle smile. Derus Robert was already sitting to his left.

I pretended to watch Glen ascending the platform while observing Derus Robert, and our eyes met.

Derus Robert smiled knowingly. The moment I saw his affected grin, heat began rising in my head again.

-This fool….

Wrath, sensing the fury boiling within, furrowed his brow.

‘Don’t worry.’

I’m fine now.

I operated the Ring of Fire to suppress the surging rage, offering Derus Robert a flawless smile as I bowed my head.

When I raised my head, I caught Derus Robert’s expression stiffen slightly.
I maintained a natural demeanor while examining the two butlers standing behind him.

‘The one on the right, then.’

The elderly butler on the left was merely an errand boy handling mundane affairs, while the middle-aged butler on the right with the approachable expression was the true power broker—undoubtedly Matio in disguise.

‘This is why the world remains full of mysteries.’

Thanks to the unexpected variable that was Merlin, it was I who had turned the tables and begun testing the opponent, not the other way around.

Raon turned his back to them, a cool smile playing across his lips.

‘It’s been a while, Instructor.’

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