The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 571

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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 571

I lifted my trembling eyelids and opened my eyes.

‘So it wasn’t a dream after all.’

A raccoon with a few leaves stuck to its forehead stood confidently as if it had become human, gazing down at me.

‘Wrath. You were right.’

I tapped Wrath, who had perfectly predicted this situation.

‘Wrath?’
-Krrgh….

Wrath let out a groan as if stabbed by a blade and dropped to the ground with a thud. It seemed he had fainted in shock at Merlin’s appearance.

‘A human who can knock out a Demon Lord….’

I shook my head in disbelief, picked up Wrath, and draped him over my shoulder.

“Come over here for now.”

I gestured to Merlin and entered deeper into the Patriarch’s Hall, where the debris still hadn’t been cleared. After setting up a barrier so no one else could hear, I sat in a chair that looked relatively intact.
After drawing the curtain so no one else could hear, I sat down in a chair that at least looked presentable.

“I really appreciate this kind of thoughtfulness.”

Merlin sat down in the chair she had placed on the opposite side and giggled.

“Yeah. Why would I leave when you’re here?”
“Yeah. Why would I leave when you’re here?”

She swept her hair back elegantly, as if asking why he would ask something so obvious. She seemed to have forgotten that she was a raccoon right now.

“First, I should say thank you. Thanks for stopping Lectar.”

Raon bowed his head to Merlin.

‘Without Merlin, things would have been far more difficult.’

Because Merlin appeared, the Holy Sword Association’s executive was able to suggest retreating to Lectar. It was no exaggeration to say that everyone survived thanks to her.

“Why do you offer such formalities between us?”

Merlin waved her furry hand, telling him not to bother with thanks.

‘Between us….’

I wanted to ask what kind of relationship existed between us, but there was something more pressing to say first.

“Are you truly alright with this?”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he ran his fingers along the armrest of the chair.

“Hmm? With what?”
“You obstructed the White Blood Sect when you were in Barene, and now you’ve stood against the Holy Sword Association. Won’t this cause problems within Eden?”
“It won’t.”

She shook her head with such conviction that even a worried person would be taken aback.

“I lived as I pleased even before I met you. They’ll just think a madwoman did mad things and won’t say much about it.”
“Hah….”
“Ah, this is nice. The fact that you’re worried about me. It gives me chills….”

Merlin stroked both her arms, a blush spreading across her cheeks. I never thought I’d see the day a raccoon’s face would turn so red.

“And even if problems arise, it doesn’t matter much. I can always leave Eden. The reason I’m here now is because it helps you.”

She waved her hand dismissively, saying she had no interest in Eden’s goal of restoration.

“That’s not what I’m worried about.”

Raon sighed and covered his head with his fingers.

“Tacheon or another Eden executive might have placed a restriction on you.”
“Yeah. They did.”

Merlin nodded with a faint smile.

“But I broke it.”
“What?”

I widened my eyes as I watched Merlin laugh calmly.

“Wait, you’re saying Tacheon placed it?”
“Yeah. It was a restriction so subtle it was hard to perceive, and it was complex so it took time, but I eventually broke through it.”

Merlin was a woman who made me laugh helplessly the more we spoke.

“Is it like brainwashing?”
“Not brainwashing. It’s a restriction that prevents you from lying without even realizing it.”

She explained the method, but since it involved magic, I couldn’t quite grasp it.

‘Breaking through Tacheon’s magic… she’s truly remarkable. But…’

Would Tacheon have left only that one restriction?

Tacheon was the head of Eden, one of the most renowned mages on the entire Continent, and a sorcerer to boot. It seemed unlikely he would place only a single restriction.

‘He carries the same scent as Derus.’

In my past life, I had been satisfied with merely breaking the brainwashing and made no further preparations, simply waiting for the day I could leave the Robert Family.

But Derus had used a Raging Worm that could read emotions to discern all my plans and thoughts, striking first.

Tacheon was no simple man either, so I needed to be as cautious as possible.

“Besides that magic, there could be other restrictions. Check me thoroughly from head to toe. Not just my head, but my heart and organs too. He might have planted a Raging Worm inside.”

I offered Merlin the counsel I had learned in my past life.

‘Did I say too much?’

I could have dismissed it as unnecessary meddling, but I decided against it.

“Got it!”

Instead, Merlin nodded with a bright smile, seeming genuinely pleased.

“You be careful too. Three of the Oma have their sights set on you.”

Merlin tapped my arm in return, urging me to take care of myself.

“Is it true that the White Blood Sect, Holy Sword Association, and Black Tower have joined forces?”

I tapped the armrest with my fingers as I mentioned the names of the three Oma she had spoken of.

“Probably. I’m not certain about the White Blood Sect, but I heard the Holy Sword Master and the Black Tower Master met separately.”

Merlin nodded with a calm expression.

“So it was true after all.”

The alliance between the Holy Sword Association and Black Tower that I had suspected from the Yonghyeon Sword Master’s reaction was indeed real. It seemed the Continent’s political landscape was about to shift dramatically.

“What about your Eden?”
“We don’t seem inclined to form alliances with anyone else.”

Merlin shook her head slowly.

“Tacheon and the other executives have only one goal—restoration. The Heavenly Demon faction feels the same way, so there’s no reason to ally with other forces. However….”

She raised her hand and tapped her cheek lightly.

“We could certainly place our hands on incidents started by others.”
“So Eden needs to be watched as well.”
“Exactly. Tacheon is waiting for the White Blood Sect, Holy Sword Association, and Black Tower to clash properly with the Six Emperors. He plans to achieve his own goals in that chaos.”
“And what is that plan?”
“I don’t know.”

Merlin shrugged, saying that only Tacheon himself knew his plan.

“Ah, that’s right! I’m late with my congratulations. Congratulations on reaching Grand Master!”

Merlin suddenly clapped her hands and shouted her congratulations on my advancement to Grand Master. She truly was an unpredictable woman.

“Th-thank you.”

I let out a small laugh. Somehow, Merlin had become the first person to congratulate me on reaching Grand Master.

“With you, I’m certain you’ll be able to touch transcendence as well.”

Merlin’s eyes sparkled as if she truly believed those words. However, unable to overcome her animal instincts, she scratched her belly vigorously.

“Ah, I don’t understand why good times pass so quickly. I should be going now.”

I swallowed dryly as I looked at Merlin’s mouth.

‘Is it food? Or grooming?’

Not knowing what the raccoon would demand, tension rose within me as if I were entering battle.

“This one wants to go into a hot spring.”
“Oh, a hot spring…?”

A word I had never even considered suddenly appeared, leaving my mind blank.

“Give this one a bath!”
“Wait!”

I tried to stop her, but Merlin had already vanished, leaving only the raccoon moving on four legs in her place.

“Kuu.”

The raccoon tapped my ankle with her plump paw, urging me to create a hot spring quickly.

‘Do I really have to dig up the ground and heat water at this hour….’

I closed my eyes tightly once more.

*

*

*

Given the gravity of the situation, the Gwangpung Corps returned directly to the Family Estate without proper rest after the fierce battle.

I narrowed my eyes as I observed the wide-open Main Gate of Zigheart.

‘Why is the gate open?’

It was uncommon for Zigheart’s Main Gate to stand open like this.
Even family members had to be identified before the gates would be unlocked, so something had clearly happened.

As I approached the Main Gate, contemplating what incident might have occurred, the Chief Steward Iliun burst forth like lightning. His left eye socket was darkly bruised—evidence that something had transpired.

“Welcome!”

Iliun bowed so deeply to Aris Zigheart that his waist formed a perfect right angle.

“Yes. Chief Steward. You’ve worked hard.”

Aris Zigheart smiled brightly and gave Iliun’s shoulder a light pat.

“Yes, ma’am!”

Iliun trembled at the touch of her hand on his shoulder but did not straighten his back.

“Hm….”

I exhaled softly at the sight before me.

‘What is this?’

I never expected to see the Chief Steward Iliun—who maintained his composure even when powerful outsiders visited—crouching like a trembling insect.

“Don’t mind it. We had a little disagreement in the past.”

Aris read the bewilderment in Raon’s eyes and let out a soft laugh.

“It wasn’t just a scuffle—he got utterly demolished, didn’t he?”

Rimer shook his head, scratching it with his left hand.

“I remember the Chief Steward had all his limbs broken and spent over two months in the Infirmary. Seeing his eyes swollen black like that… he must’ve hit him again.”

He recounted the old incident in detail and clicked his tongue briefly.

“Shut your mouth… huh?”

Iliun was about to scowl at Rimer when his eyes widened in shock.

“Your arm!”

His lips trembled as he stared at Rimer’s empty right sleeve.

“Well, that’s how it turned out.”

Rimer smiled faintly, as if losing a limb was better than losing his life.

“You madman! How can you say that!”
“It’s fine. All those kids with bright futures survived. One of them even jumped over the Wall.”

He closed his eyes, satisfied that Raon and the entire Gwangpung Corps had made it through alive.

“Mm.”

Iliun looked at Raon standing behind Rimer, and his pupils trembled the same way they had when he faced Aris.

“You really became a Grand Master.”

He was left speechless for a moment, utterly dumbfounded.

“It feels like just yesterday you left this place as a trainee, and now you’re already a Grand Master. The word ‘monster’ doesn’t even do it justice.”
“I was fortunate.”
“You can become a Master through luck, but not a Grand Master.”

Iliun straightened his posture and drew his chin taut.

“Thank you for taking care of the fool. Welcome back.”

He placed a hand over his chest and performed the Zigheart sword salute.

I swallowed dryly as I received Iliun’s dignified greeting.

“Chief Steward?”

Since becoming the unit commander, Iliun had shown some courtesy, but this level of formality was unprecedented.

“No need to be surprised.”

Rimer grasped my shoulder firmly with a faint smile.

“It’s simply a reflection of the position you now occupy.”

He murmured that there would be many interesting things ahead and to look forward to them.

“But who exactly is this fool you’re talking about?”

At Rimer’s question, both I and Iliun turned to look at him simultaneously.

“Damn it! Why am I the fool!”

Just as he was about to have a fit, Aris Zigheart stomped her foot loudly.

“Aren’t you coming? The Head of House is waiting!”

Aris raised her fist, threatening to drag him there herself if he didn’t run immediately.

“Let’s go.”
“Ugh….”

I walked down the Central Avenue toward the Patriarch’s Hall, leading Rimer whose face had flushed red.

“That’s Aris Zigheart….”
“Her presence itself is on a different level.”
“Even the Patriarch and former Patriarchs don’t compare to that….”

The swordsmen of Zigheart passing through the Central Avenue could only marvel at the sight of Aris. Yet she wasn’t the only one drawing such admiration.

“Is that really Raon Zigheart?”
“His aura has completely transformed.”
“So it’s true that he became a Grand Master….”
“Then he really did defeat the Yonghyeon Sword Master!”
“A Grand Master at twenty-one? Unprecedented.”
“Thank the heavens he came from our family. If he belonged to another clan or kingdom, I’d be sick with envy.”

I narrowed my eyes as I heard the swordsmen’s fervent reactions.

‘The response is different from before.’

When I had returned from missions in the past, the swordsmen had often shown surprise or admiration.

But the Main Lineage and those who followed them had always cast looks filled with jealousy and contempt. Now, there was none of that.
Every swordsman standing on this path gazed at me with nothing but reverence in their eyes.

-As it should be.

Wrath nodded, looking down upon the swordsmen.

-Whether human or demon, overwhelming power and talent inspire no jealousy—only awe. Now those fools cannot perceive you as an equal.

He brushed his hand dismissively, saying that far fewer would dare challenge me from now on.

‘I see.’

I realized that not only my inner world had changed, but the external world as well, and I made my way toward the Patriarch’s Hall.

“Welcome back.”

Roen stood before the Patriarch’s Hall. He bowed his head to Aris, then fell silent for a moment upon seeing Rimer.

“…You must be exhausted.”

Roen nodded in succession to Rimer and me before guiding us into the Audience Chamber.
The doors of the Audience Chamber stood wide open just like the Zigheart Main Gate, with executives from the family lined up on both sides of the crimson carpet laid down the center.

At the center of the platform stood Glen Zigheart as always, his chin resting on his hand, his gaze hollow and distant.

“The Gwangpung Corps has completed its mission and returned.”

Since Rimer had sustained injuries, I stepped forward as the temporary commander and knelt before the platform.
Following my lead, all members of the Gwangpung Corps knelt and bowed their heads.

“Raise your heads.”

Glen nodded calmly before his eyes narrowed as he caught sight of Rimer’s right sleeve.

“Commander of the Gwangpung Corps. What happened to that arm?”
“My skills were insufficient.”

Before Glen, Rimer offered no excuses and simply acknowledged that his own abilities had fallen short, lowering his head.

“Commander of the Gwangpung Division.”
“Yes.”

At Glen’s call, I lifted my gaze.

“There are matters not written in the report.”
“I intended to explain the unfavorable details in person.”

I recited the very thoughts that had crossed my mind when drafting the report.

“Aris.”
“Yes.”
“You stepped forward as though you would resolve everything, yet you couldn’t even prevent this.”

Glen’s brow furrowed as he turned his gaze toward Aris Zigheart.

“That is….”
“It is not Aunt’s fault.”

I stepped forward to cut off the reproach directed at Aris Zigheart.

“Aunt?”

Karun seized upon the word with sharp attention.

“Hmm….”

I bit my lip as I looked at Karun.

‘How could I make such a mistake….’

Aris Zigheart had threatened me on the way back, insisting I keep calling her that, and it had slipped out before I could stop myself.

“Did you just call her aunt?”

Karun’s lips curled upward, as if he’d caught me red-handed.

“Where is your aunt in this place! You foolish brat with no sense of propriety!”
“Hey.”

Just as he was about to press his advantage, Aris Zigheart stepped forward and tilted his chin up with her hand.

“Keep your mouth shut if you don’t want to die.”

Aris Zigheart’s eyes gleamed with genuine irritation, fierce as a predator’s.

“I want to be called aunt, so why are you making a fuss!”
“Ugh….”

Karun’s jaw trembled as he stared at the sinister aura radiating from Aris Zigheart, his mouth hanging open.

“Miss.”

Denier surveyed the now-silent Patriarch’s Hall and lowered his voice.

“This is the presence of the Head of House. Such crude language….”
“That’s exactly why I said ‘mouth’ instead of ‘trap’! If you don’t like it, then fight me!”
“….”

The Patriarch’s Hall fell even more silent.

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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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