The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 409

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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 409

I made my way to the Reception Room alongside Wendy Arian. Her gait ahead of me wavered unsteadily, as though she were intoxicated.

‘She must be exhausted.’

Even with an iron will, witnessing the death of one’s own family would leave anyone mentally drained. The fact that she could hold herself together at all was remarkable.

-People rarely change, yet this one is different.

Wrath smacked his lips, remarking how the soft, gelatinous human had become stone.

‘Her core was always solid.’

Wendy Arian was the only warrior in this family who had inherited the will of their ancestors.
When everyone else idled away their days, she alone trained her blade relentlessly, reaching the rank of Master—a sign she was destined for greatness from the beginning.

‘That core has finally sprouted.’

Through her war against the undead, she had grown not only in martial skill but also in spirit, overcoming even the oppression her family had inflicted upon her.

The chains of family that had bound Wendy Arian had shattered, and now she could ascend to even greater heights.

“Please, sit here.”

Wendy Arian opened the door to the Reception Room and gestured for me to enter. I followed her inside.

‘Did Wigen create this?’

The room showed little sign of actual use, yet it was filled with ostentatious luxuries meant for display. It seemed even more ornate than the Reception Room of the Zigheart Family Estate.

“Thank you.”

The moment I sank into the plush sofa, Wendy Arian bowed her head deeply.

“Wendy Arian?”
“I could never have cut them down alone. I am truly grateful that you made the decision first.”

Wendy bit her lip hard, her shoulders trembling.

“As the supreme commander of this war, it was something I had to do. Please don’t apologize.”

I shook my head. The execution of the executives was necessary not just for Wendy’s sake, but to save this family.

‘They committed acts unbecoming of a family head, after all.’

When word spread that Wigen and the executives had fled, morale on the Castle Wall plummeted, and the undead seized that moment to attack.
Our precise defense crumbled, and we suffered our first casualties.

Living as Raon Zigheart, I had come to understand what a family truly meant and what mindset those in positions of power must maintain. Genuine fury burned within me toward Wigen and the executives who had abandoned the family and fled.

‘This was my responsibility.’

I had been prepared to search the entire Continent to sever their necks, so this was hardly something deserving of Wendy’s gratitude.

I exhaled softly, watching Wendy still bow her head.

“Are you truly all right, Wendy?”
“If I said I was, it would be a lie.”

Wendy lifted her gaze. Her pupils, turbulent like rough waves, gradually stilled.

“But I understand it was absolutely necessary to save this family.”

She bit her lip firmly, acknowledging it had been something that needed to be done.

‘As expected, she understands well.’

Had Wigen and the executives survived, they would have sown discord between the kindhearted Wendy and the others, fracturing the family.

To revive the broken Arian Family, erasing their influence and laying an entirely new foundation was the right path.

With all traces of the previous generation gone, the initial struggle would be considerable, but the Arian Family would soar far higher than before.

“Dispelling the shadow of the former executives won’t be easy, so you’ll need to make considerable efforts as the Head of House.”
“I will do my best.”

Wendy asked me to trust her as she lowered her head.

“That’s enough bowing. You can stop now….”
“It’s not just about what happened today.”

She continued speaking with her head still bowed.

“If you hadn’t been here, this war would have ended from the very beginning. Thank you for fighting alongside us until the end, and for risking your life in the process.”

Wendy said she had wanted to express her gratitude since the battle ended, and she refused to straighten her bent waist.

‘If I don’t accept her thanks, she’ll probably stay like this for the rest of her life.’

Knowing her stubbornness, I smiled and nodded.

“I understand. I’ll accept your gratitude, so please stand up.”

I nodded, but Wendy didn’t rise. Instead, she knelt like a criminal and pressed her forehead to the ground.

“Wendy?”
-Has she finally lost her mind?

She hadn’t fainted. Her breathing was rough, but her aura was chillingly pure.

“I have something to say to you.”
“At least stand up first….”
“No. I must do this in this position.”

Wendy pressed her forehead back to the ground, having lifted it only slightly.

“I wish to serve you as my liege. Please accept me as your follower.”

She raised her voice, saying that not only she, but this entire family wished to serve and follow me as their liege.

“What?”

I widened my eyes as I looked at Wendy.

‘What is she saying?’

The Arian Family was already a vassal family serving Zigheart. When she suddenly spoke of wanting to serve me as their liege, I couldn’t quite grasp her meaning.

“What do you mean by that…?”
“Exactly as I said. Raon Zigheart. I wish to follow you.”
“But isn’t Arian already a vassal family of Zigheart?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then why would you wish to follow me…?”

Wendy Arian lifted her head slightly. Her eyes gleamed with sincerity and conviction.

“Because within Zigheart, I wish to support my benefactor.”

Though she had suddenly spoken of a benefactor, I understood immediately who she meant.

“Me?”
“Yes. Being a vassal family doesn’t mean blindly following all of Zigheart. Each vassal family has factions they support. The Arian Family wishes to walk alongside you and the Gale Wind Squad.”

She was saying that while remaining loyal to Zigheart, she wanted the Arian Family to support the Gale Wind Squad specifically.

“What made you think this way?”
“During the war, I observed you and the Gale Wind Squad most closely. You preserved each other’s individuality while fighting together like a tempest itself.”

Wendy continued with a slightly wistful smile.

“I wish for the Arian Family to become like the Gale Wind Squad—a family that cherishes one another while respecting each person’s own path. That’s why I want to stand with them. And….”

Her carefully raised hand pointed toward me.

“Because you are the primary architect of the current Gale Wind Squad and still lead them, I wish to serve you as my liege.”

Wendy bowed her head again, speaking of her desire to run this family like the Gale Wind Squad—where members stake their very lives for one another.

“Hmm….”

I studied Wendy Arian, my lips pressing together thoughtfully.

‘What should I do?’

Had she mentioned talent or extraordinary martial prowess, I would have refused outright.

However, Wendy spoke of the Gwangpung Unit’s bonds. In her words about how they respected each other’s individuality and how she envied their togetherness, I could feel her sincerity.

“I am merely a vice-commander of a single unit.”
“That unit is the Gwangpung Unit. I am certain it will become Zigheart’s strongest military organization.”
“I am not even of the Main Lineage.”
“Do you think I would concern myself with blood?”
“Sigh….”

I exhaled a long breath.

‘I cannot fathom why so many people wish to follow me these days.’

From Mark Goeten to Wendy Arian, wherever I went, someone new pledged their allegiance. It was becoming somewhat burdensome.

-Indeed. The boy is still woefully inadequate, yet I cannot comprehend what they see in him to follow.

Wrath clicked his tongue in disapproval.

-Hmm? Wait, is that boy not a head of house?
‘That’s right.’
-Excellent! Accept them, and immediately command them to offer ten servings each of this region’s specialty dishes… Squawk!

I swatted away Wrath’s nonsensical rambling with the back of my hand.

‘It is certainly burdensome, but….’

I did not feel displeased. Perhaps it was because of my past life, spent entirely alone. To be honest, my heart burned with warmth.

“I understand.”

As I nodded, Wendy knelt on one knee and placed her fist over her left chest.

“Wendy Arian pays respects to my lord, Raon Zigheart. Just as my ancestor followed the ancestor of Zigheart a thousand years ago, I shall guard your back for all my days.”

Her oath brought to mind the scene where the ancestor of Zigheart and the ancestor of Arian had achieved perfect synchronization.

Because I had fought alongside Wendy then, just as now, her oath resonated deeply within my heart.

‘Beyond the recurrence of history itself, she will prove to be invaluable.’

Wendy Arian had advanced to intermediate Master rank through this war. Having built a foundation faithful to the basics, there was ample potential for further advancement.

“I accept your oath.”

I smiled gently and placed my hand on Wendy’s shoulder.

“Wendy Arian. As your lord’s vassal, I would follow even if you commanded the destruction of the Continent!”

Wendy bowed once more, her face flushed with emotion.

“…There will be no need to destroy the Continent.”

I shook my head while wiping the sweat trickling down my temple. The prospect of continental annihilation appearing from the start sent a chill down my spine.

“Instead, I’ll give you your first command.”
“I await your orders.”

She knelt on one knee as she had during the oath, placing her hand over her left chest.

“Make the Arian Family greater than it was a thousand years ago. A place where every member can smile without burden.”
“I will fulfill this command even unto death!”

Wendy nodded as though it were obvious.

“And please, stand up now. You’ve been bowing so much you’re in danger of developing tech neck.”
“Yes!”

Only then did Wendy rise and settle onto the sofa across from me.

“Ah, now that I think about it….”

I smacked my lips. As the situation stabilized, I recalled what Dorian had mentioned earlier.

“You mentioned a guest who brought the executives here—who is that?”
“Ah, you haven’t heard?”

Wendy’s eyes widened as if surprised I didn’t know.

“It’s the Sword Ghost.”
“The Sword Ghost? You don’t mean….”
“Yes. It’s the Left Seat of the Five Great Swordmasters, the Sword Ghost.”

The Sword Ghost, who stood at the pinnacle of the Five Great Swordmasters, was considered a supreme master capable of rivaling even the Continental Ten Heavens.
My jaw dropped in astonishment at the revelation that this unaffiliated, neutral figure had captured the executives.

“Where is he now?”

Wendy pointed toward the Land of Death.

“He has departed for the Land of Death with the Gale Wind Squad—the very place where we concluded our war.”

*

*

*

“Aahhh….”

Rimer yawned so widely his mouth nearly split, rubbing his eyes.

“How much longer are you going to stand there gawking? I’m dying of boredom. Can we wrap this up?”

He waved his hand toward the back of the tall, broad-shouldered white-haired old man.

“Hmm….”

The white-haired old man, who had been examining the traces of battle, rose to his feet. The crimson blade hanging at his waist swayed gently.

“You’re telling me this child, the so-called White Sword Dragon, truly created all these traces?”

The white-haired old man turned around. He was a warrior of striking appearance—sharp eyes that belied his snowy hair, and broad shoulders that commanded presence.

“Yes, I’ve told you already. How many times do I have to repeat myself?”

Rimer waved his hand dismissively.

“That a twenty-year-old martial artist left behind traces like this… it’s absurd.”

The Old Man muttered about a Monster appearing as he examined the marks carved into the ground.

“Master, is this truly so remarkable?”

The red-haired youth who had identified himself as Sword Ghost’s Disciple approached his side.

“Look at these traces.”

The Sword Ghost pointed to the thin sword marks left where the three pillars had been driven into the ground.

“With a single blade—no, two swords—he created over thirty sword paths in one stroke. There is inexperience, but the power embedded in his swordsmanship is something even a Grand Master couldn’t easily defend against.”

He helped his disciple understand the danger of the swordsmanship Raon had unleashed.

Rimer smacked his lips as he watched the Old Man.

‘So he can recognize it? Truly worthy of being called the strongest of the Five Great Swordmasters, the Sword Ghost.’

Since the Land of Death was buried beneath the marsh, the ground was soft, leaving almost no trace of blade marks.
Simply recognizing Raon’s swordsmanship in a place where it was difficult to distinguish whether something was a worm’s trail or a sword mark spoke volumes about the Old Man’s abnormal skill.

‘I’ve heard the Sword Ghost can rival the Continental Ten Heavens, and it certainly seems no exaggeration.’

I have no idea how strong he truly is.

The Five Great Swordmasters were known to fall short compared to the Continental Ten Heavens, yet the Sword Ghost’s blade seemed capable of reaching their level.

‘It’s curious how a wanderer could become so formidable.’

Though the Sword Ghost hadn’t stated it himself, he was a neutral party belonging to no faction.
It was remarkable that someone in a position like a mercenary or wanderer had reached such heights.

‘But…’

Rimer’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the Sword Ghost’s face and physique.

‘That old geezer. Why does he feel so familiar?’

Though we were meeting for the first time, I felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if I’d seen him somewhere before.

‘Strange… Ah, what a bother.’

Rimer tried to trace the source of that familiarity but found it too tedious, so he shook his head.

‘Must’ve seen him at the Gambling House or something.’

*

*

*

After finishing my conversation with Wendy Arian, I returned to the Dormitory.
I needed to express my gratitude to Milend and the reinforcements from other factions, but since it was late, I decided to visit them tomorrow.

‘He’s still at it.’

Lunan Slion was still sprawled face-down on the bed, snoring softly like a puppy.

‘He probably didn’t stay here just because of me.’

Judging by the fact that he hadn’t woken up until now, it seemed he simply wanted to sleep here. I chuckled and took a seat at the table.

-When exactly are you going to feed me! My belly will stick to my spine at this rate!
‘Your stomach looks plenty plump to me.’

I laughed as I stretched Wrath’s soft, round belly.

-Don’t touch me! How dare you, a mere human, lay hands upon the True Demon King’s sacred form!
‘You’re like a cat, I swear.’

He’d remained perfectly still when I’d patted his head, but now that I was touching his belly, he was throwing a fit. It was exactly like dealing with a cat.

‘Let me just check this one thing, then we’ll eat. Be patient.’
-Check? What could you possibly need to—
‘This.’

I flicked Wrath on the head and summoned messages I hadn’t seen before.

-W-What?!

Wrath collapsed, clutching the back of his plump neck like a sandwich as he stared at the incoming messages.

I pushed the sprawled Wrath off the table and examined the messages.

[You have accomplished an impossible feat.]
[Your soul’s grade has risen significantly.]
[All stats increase by 20 points.]

Slaying the Phantom Soul Ghost and severing the sphere of morale—the system deemed these impossible tasks, granting me a full 20-point increase to all stats at once.

With my soul’s grade elevated, the mental anguish and fatigue that had plagued me noticeably diminished.

Yet the messages continued to flow.

[Trait 【Morale Resistance】 has been created.]
[Trait 【Ambush】 has risen in grade.]
[Trait 【Concentration】 has risen in grade.]
[Trait 【Holiness Blooming in Darkness】 has risen in grade.]

The second wave of messages pertained to my traits.

After six days of relentless combat, the 【Morale Resistance】 trait had manifested to overcome the aura of death, and all the traits I’d employed in this battle had advanced in grade.

Most gratifying was the ascension of 【Holiness Blooming in Darkness】.

‘But that’s not all.’

Though not reflected in the messages, my proficiency with the Ring of Fire, Manhwagong, and Glaccia had surged dramatically, and my swordsmanship had evolved considerably.

A smile bloomed unbidden as I contemplated growth that transcended even enlightenment.

-I-Is it finally over… or, or is there more?

Wrath staggered upright, his jaw dropping as additional messages materialized before his eyes.

[The title 【One Who Leads War to Victory】 has been created.]

This time, it was a title. It had been a long while since a new title appeared after 【The Survivor】.

-Damn it! Why won’t this end!

Wrath’s lips trembled as he gazed upon the newly emerged title.

【One Who Leads War to Victory】
A title bestowed upon those who open the path to victory in an unwinnable war.
Effect: All stats +5, when fighting alongside allies, everyone’s concentration and physical abilities increase slightly.

“Huh?”

An increase in everyone’s concentration and physical abilities?

That meant it didn’t just boost my own abilities—it elevated the capabilities of the Gale Wind Squad fighting alongside me as well.

‘So it raises morale.’

In group combat, what matters most is morale. The higher the morale, the more warriors can exceed their normal limits, and this title seemed to forcibly elevate that morale.

-I-is it finally over?

Wrath staggered upright.

-Then let’s quickly eat….

Just as he was about to say he finally wanted to eat something, another message appeared.

[All stamina and mental energy have been depleted, entering sleep.]
[The extremely elevated quality of sleep has enhanced the efficiency of 【Sloth】.]
[All stats increase.]
[The effect of 【Sloth】 has been strengthened.]

Upon seeing that message, Wrath finally collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

-Sloth. This pathetic bastard….

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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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