The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 416

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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 416

I chuckled as I watched Wrath licking his lips at Rimer.

‘Those two meeting would be entertaining.’

A smile naturally spread across my face as I anticipated what kind of situation would unfold when Wrath and Rimer—both childish enough to be second to none—came together.

‘Will they fight like kids?’

While I was imagining a conversation between Rimer and Wrath, Wendy Arian climbed up onto the Sparring Arena.

She approached Rimer and bowed at a perfect right angle.

“Leader of the Gale Wind Squad. Thank you so much.”

When she first asked to open a gambling den in the Sparring Arena, I thought she was someone obsessed with money, but that was a grave misunderstanding.

It seemed that Raon and Rimer had devised this gambling scheme not only to save the Arian Family but also to provide them with financial support.

‘So they are Zigheart, and so they are the Gale Wind Squad.’

There had been many bad rumors about Rimer, but it seemed they were all baseless.

Meeting heroes one after another following Raon, I felt so moved that my hands naturally clenched with strength.

“Hehehehe….”

Rimer released a benevolent laugh as if possessed by Roen, nodding his head. A tear drop glistened at the corner of his narrow eyes and fell.

“To think you would donate such a large sum….”
“The Arian Family will never forget this kindness!”
“We will honor you as our benefactor from this day forward!”
“Hurrah!”

The newly appointed executives of the Arian Family also bowed to Rimer and cheered.

“Hehehehe….”

Rimer chuckled hollowly again, merely nodding his head.

“Let’s give him a celebratory lift!”
“Woooaaah!”
“Thank you so much, Rimer!”

Wendy and the executives hoisted Rimer into the air, their gratitude pouring forth once more.

“Hehehehe….”

As Rimer floated weightlessly through the air before descending, that hollow smile never left his face.
He looked like a man whose gears had completely broken.

“Our benefactor?”
“Rimer?”

As the crowd tilted their heads in confusion, Raon approached Rimer’s side.

“He’s simply delighted. He’s always had a passion for charitable giving.”
“Ah, is that so!”
“Of course!”
“Charity is no simple matter—truly admirable.”

Not only the Arian executives but the spectators as well began praising Rimer anew, raising their hands in applause.

“I’ve heard such things about him before, actually.”

One of the executives gazed at Rimer with a satisfied expression.

“A friend once told me he saw Rimer donating to the Orphanage.”

He spoke of an impossibility with a warm smile.

“Donating? Not stealing?”

Raon’s eyes narrowed as he regarded Rimer.

“Has the Unit Master himself made direct donations before? Could this be someone with the same name?”

It was an absurd question, but I asked Rimer just to be sure.

“I don’t know, damn it!”

Rimer whipped his head around and descended from the Sparring Arena, waving his hand as if to say the rest was my problem.

“Banker!”
“Yes, sir!”

At my call, Dorian sprang up and bounded onto the Sparring Arena.

“Are the calculations finished?”
“Of course!”

Dorian nodded after reviewing the ledger like a true bank manager.

“Then please deliver the Unit Master’s donation to Wendy Arian.”
“Understood.”

He withdrew gold coins from his coin purse and handed them to Wendy Arian and the executives.

“Ah….”
“I truly don’t know how to express our gratitude….”

Wendy and the executives were left speechless at the sight of the bulging pouches of gold coins.

“Contact the Sepia Trading Company and tell them to establish trade with the Arian Family. It’s an opportunity to monopolize premium grapes and blueberries. They’ll come running.”

I smiled, envisioning how the Arian Family and the Sepia Trading Company—allies in all but name—would forge an even stronger bond through this connection.

“The Merchant Guild Master will be delighted!”

Dorian nodded eagerly and retrieved the communication orb he’d received from the Merchant Guild Master.

“Gwangpung Unit! Gwangpung Unit! Gwangpung Unit!”
“No! These days we’re called the Mad Dog Squad!”
“Mad Dog Squad! Mad Dog Squad! Mad Dog Squad!”

The spectators raised their voices in praise of the Gale Wind Squad, who had rescued Arian and donated considerable gold coins.

“It’s Gale Wind, not Mad Dog, you bastards!”

The moment Martha heard the word “Mad Dog,” her eyes blazed with fury.

“Aaaahhhhh!”
“She’s a demon woman! Zigheart’s demon hound!”
“I’m not the demon! It’s that bastard Raon!”

She leaped into the Spectator Stands and caused a commotion, but it was merely a minor incident.
Everyone present smiled and savored today’s celebration.

‘Well, everyone except one.’

The only person not smiling was the red-haired Elf crouched in the corner, tears of blood streaming down her face.

“Ugh, my money. My golden path….”

She bit her lip as she watched the bundle of gold coins Dorian had produced.

‘Now it’s time to fulfill my promise with the Sword Ghost… hm?

Raon stopped as he moved toward the Sword Ghost.

‘That’s….’

Mustan, standing behind the Sword Ghost, was glaring at me with bloodshot eyes.

‘There’s another one who isn’t smiling.’

I hadn’t heard it clearly, but it seemed the Sword Ghost had encouraged Mustan rather than reproached him after the duel, yet it appeared to have had no effect whatsoever.

Though he hadn’t unleashed his full aura, the malice burning in his eyes had grown far more potent than before.

‘I’ll need to crush him properly.’

Thanks to reaching Master-rank Peak, I was confident I could break him without much difficulty, even if Mustan displayed his full strength.
I would need to suppress him with overwhelming force and establish the hierarchy.

“Lectar.”

I approached the Sword Ghost while calmly meeting Mustan’s piercing gaze.

“It’s all finished.”

The Sword Ghost nodded and gestured toward his quarters.

“Let’s have some tea in a quiet place.”

*

*

*

The Sword Ghost set down his teacup and lifted his gaze. He studied me sipping tea across from him and drew a measured breath.

‘No matter how I look at it, the resemblance is uncanny….’

If I changed my hair to brown and my eyes to blue, I would look remarkably similar to that person.

‘Especially during combat—the expression was identical.’

Not the serene face I wore now, but when I fought with full power, it felt as though that person had returned and was wielding a blade.

The world was vast enough that some resemblance between people was inevitable, but a similarity this profound could scarcely be explained by anything other than blood kinship.

“Lectar?”
“Ahem!”

At my call, Lectar snapped back to awareness and cleared his throat.

“My apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
“It’s quite alright.”

I shook my head gently.

‘He seemed a bit melancholy.’

A moment ago, the Sword Ghost had looked forlorn—not like a spectral warrior, but like an old man whose years were etched plainly upon his face.
The way he’d mentioned having other thoughts suggested he’d briefly been lost in memories of the past.

‘What question could he possibly want to ask?’

It wasn’t a request, nor a rematch with his disciple—just a few questions, he’d said. I couldn’t quite discern his true intentions.

“Don’t think it strange. Just hear me out.”
“Of course.”
“May I ask you about your father and mother?”
“My mother and father?”
“Yes. I’m curious what sort of people they were to have raised you so… upright.”

The Sword Ghost regarded me with calm eyes, an awkward smile crossing his face as he marveled at how, at merely twenty years old, I possessed both martial prowess and mental fortitude—and character to match.

‘Character, he says…’

It seemed the Sword Ghost was aware that his disciple Mustan’s character had been corrupted.
Seeing him seek counsel for such a flawed student only endeared him to me further.

‘There’s no real secret in it.’

The fact that I was Sylvia’s son had already spread far and wide, so there was little difficulty in speaking of it.

“My mother is Sylvia Zigheart. She was originally a swordmaster of Zigheart, but now lives an ordinary life. However, her spirit is far more resolute than any swordmaster’s, and she brings peace to all those around her.”

I spoke honestly about the feelings and thoughts I held regarding Sylvia.

“You mentioned character just now, and I must confess—the epithet ‘Benevolence’ that was bestowed upon me is thanks entirely to my mother.”

I relayed how Sylvia had expressed her wish for me to become a swordmaster who draws his blade for others, just as the old swordmasters of Zigheart once did.

“…I see.”

The Sword Ghost swallowed hard and nodded slowly.

“Then, what of your father?”
“It may sound strange, but I never knew my father well.”
“You never knew him?”
“Yes. He passed away before I was born, so I never had the chance to meet him.”
“He… died?”

The Sword Ghost’s voice remained steady, yet his lips trembled faintly.

“How? Did he fall ill?”
“It’s difficult to explain to an outsider, but he was murdered.”
“….”

The Sword Ghost closed his eyes. His shoulders, which had seemed as unyielding as steel, now appeared fragile as twigs.

“My mother rarely spoke of my father, so truthfully, I never even heard his name.”
“Were they not close?”
“No. My mother said their bond was stronger than anyone’s. She simply refrained from mentioning him, fearing I would feel his absence too deeply.”

Sylvia smiled as she spoke of her father, yet her expression grew melancholic at the same time.
Seeing that sorrowful look, I deliberately chose not to ask his name.

“According to my mother’s words, my father was a foolish man. He was tall and possessed exceptional swordsmanship, but lacked talent in aura, so he never became a renowned swordmaster.”

I recalled what Sylvia had once shared with me about her father.

“Yet my mother said he drew his blade for others and grew stronger when standing before them. The reason I’ve come to think of others as I do now is thanks to my mother, who was influenced by my father.”

In my past life, I lived as an assassin whose humanity had worn away. Had it not been for Sylvia, I might have become a broken monster like the Sword Ghost’s Disciple, Mustan.
Meeting Sylvia and the people of the Annex Building was the greatest fortune.

“….”

The Sword Ghost gazed silently at the teacup resting on the table. The few drops of tea remaining at the bottom seemed to evaporate before my eyes.

“I’m truly sorry to ask, but could you tell me who murdered your father? I beg of you.”
“…Eden.”
“I… see.”

He clasped his hands together and bowed his head. Even the fingertips that had remained steady when crossing blades now trembled faintly.

“Hmm….”

I studied the Sword Ghost, who seemed somehow unstable, and pressed my lips together thoughtfully.

“Do you perhaps know my father?”

The Sword Ghost’s behavior could only suggest some connection to my father.

“Not yet.”

The Sword Ghost had regained his composure and shook his head calmly.

‘Not yet? What does that mean?’

I couldn’t quite grasp his meaning.

‘Though I suppose it would be strange to understand with just this much explanation.’

He hadn’t even told me his name, so it was peculiar that he would become acquainted with my father.

“May I ask one more favor?”

The Sword Ghost drew a shallow breath and lifted his head.

“Please, speak.”
“When you return to Zigheart, could you travel with me?”
“Are you hoping to meet my mother?”
“I’d like to verify a few things about your father. I swear I will cause no harm to anyone.”

He placed his right hand, the one that wielded the sword, over his left chest where his heart lay, reciting a swordsman’s oath.

“We’re not returning directly—I was planning to stop by the Lower Castle first. Would that be acceptable?”
“That’s fine.”
“As long as you’re coming as a guest, it should be no problem.”

The Sword Ghost was neither enemy nor foe, and even if he did have some connection to my father, his emotions didn’t seem particularly hostile.
Since I’d received considerable help from him this time, inviting him along wasn’t a difficult matter.

“Thank you. Truly….”

The Sword Ghost lifted his gaze. His eyes were placid, yet they burned with an intensity that reminded me of a heated iron plate.

“No. We depart in five days, so prepare accordingly.”
“Understood.”

He nodded and told me to take care of myself before closing his eyes.

I bowed and left the Sword Ghost’s chamber.

‘I wonder what this is about.’

As I descended to the first floor, pondering the relationship between the Sword Ghost and my father, Mustan appeared on the stairs.
His eyes still held the image of two blades.

“What did you discuss with Master?”

Mustan emanated a chilling aura, as if he might draw his sword at any moment.

“What would you do with that information?”

I let out a scoff as I regarded Mustan.

“If it concerned you, Master would have summoned you to his chamber as well.”
“Insolent….”

Mustan’s brow furrowed like crumpled paper clutched in a fist.

“You seized the moment when I was careless and now delude yourself into thinking you won fairly!”
“It’s not delusion—it’s reality.”
“Had I fought at full strength from the beginning, the outcome would have been different! If we fought now, you wouldn’t stand a chance against me!”

He gripped his sword hilt as if ready to draw it immediately.

“Out of respect for Lectar, I’ll refrain this once.”
“Don’t you dare speak Master’s name with that mouth of yours!”

I sighed and turned to descend the stairs, but Mustan grabbed my shoulder roughly.

“You really have no sense of your place.”

I turned my body and approached Mustan.

Whoosh!

The ring of fire resonated naturally. Having reached Master-tier mastery, my elevated aura and mental sword technique were released, unleashing a magnificent wave of energy.

“Ugh….”

Mustan raised his aura to counter the immense force, but the sharp energy wave—like blades cutting through the air—tore through his defenses.

“W-what is this….”

His jaw trembled as he stumbled backward down the steps.

“Argh!”

As my energy wave grew even more violent, Mustan lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs, crashing to the ground.

“Mustan.”

I looked down at the fallen Mustan and spoke in a cold voice.

“In the world of combat, there is no room for carelessness. Had this been a real battle, your head would be rolling across this floor right now.”
“Ugh….”
“If you understand, shut your mouth and get out.”

I left the Sword Ghost’s Dormitory, leaving Mustan trembling in his entirety.

-That bastard is consumed by jealousy, he is.

Wrath clicked his tongue.

-Jealousy is an emotion difficult for one to bear with their own strength. It is called a serpent’s heart, for it is as vile and treacherous as a snake.
‘A serpent’s heart….’
-Even in the Demon Realm, there were creatures like that. No matter what kind words were offered, no matter how much they possessed, they envied and resented others. Yet that mad creature used that very jealousy to obtain tremendous power.

He muttered that the creature was one of the most repulsively vile among the demon race.

‘Could it be…?’
-Indeed. That wretch climbed to the Demon King’s throne through the power of that vile envy.

I didn’t need to ask to understand. The Lord of Envy. Envy. Another Demon King that Wrath had mentioned as someone who treated his subordinates harshly.

‘Did he reach a level comparable to yours through the power of envy?’
-What nonsense! The True Demon King is far stronger than that fool!

Wrath snorted, declaring that he could crush Envy in both the quality of his subordinates and his own martial prowess.

‘Well, that pathetic wretch would never become a Demon King anyway.’

I looked up at the Sword Ghost’s Dormitory and shook my head.

‘Still, I’m curious. Why did the Sword Ghost take such a fool as his disciple…?’

*

*

*

“Sigh…”

The Sword Ghost exhaled a heavy sigh.

‘It’s become almost certain.’

The righteous nature that acted without knowing his place, the weak aura yet exceptional swordsmanship, and finally, his tall stature.

I could only confirm it by asking Sylvia, but no matter how much I thought about it, Raon’s father had to be that man.

‘How could this happen…?’

I had heard that while I was in closed-door training, that man left Ryeon after making a great sacrifice, but I never expected things to connect like this.

‘Of all places, the Zigheart…’

My chest tightened at the thought that he belonged to the Zigheart, of all families.

‘But then again, you never concerned yourself with such things.’

As the Sword Ghost let out a hollow laugh while clutching his heaving chest, the door opened and Mustan entered.

“Master. What were you discussing with Raon just now?”

He approached with a visibly contorted expression.

“It’s nothing of consequence.”

The Sword Ghost shook his head. He could not speak of matters still uncertain.

“Abandon such needless thoughts and focus on training for the next four days. On the fifth day, you will depart for Zigheart with the Gale Wind Squad, so prepare yourself.”
“Pardon?”

Mustan’s mouth fell open.

“Y-you’re going to Zigheart, Master? What do you mean by that!”
“There is business that requires my attention.”
“That is enemy territory! Even if they don’t know our identities, why would you….”
“As you say, our affiliations remain unknown. This opportunity exists only now.”

The Sword Ghost swept his hair back and closed his eyes.

“I have witnessed you impart teachings to talented warriors of the Six Emperors on several occasions, but this is different.”

Mustan ground his teeth.

“With other factions among the Six Emperors it might be acceptable, but our rift with Zigheart runs deep! No matter how much you favor Raon Zigheart, this crosses the line!”

He dropped to his knees, unable to accept it.

“Master, come to your senses! I am your disciple! A summons from Ryeon will arrive soon, and if an incident occurs before then, it will become a grave problem!”

Mustan pressed his forehead to the ground in absolute refusal.

“Even if that were to happen….”

The Sword Ghost opened his eyes, which had been tightly shut. His gaze blazed with an icy blue light, sharp and resolute as stone.

“There’s something I need to verify.”

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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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