The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 579

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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 579

“Oh!”

Rimer’s lips curled upward as he glanced at Sterin.

“Hearing Grandfather call me a demon… it really makes me feel like I’m home.”

He wore a broad smile, as if transported back to his childhood.

“A demon?”

Raon murmured the word, understanding it carried a negative connotation, yet unable to grasp its precise meaning.

“You don’t know what a demon is?”
“I do not.”

Turning back, I saw that Dorian and Yua shook their heads in equal ignorance.

“Well, it’s a name humans have long forgotten.”

Rimer waved his hand dismissively, murmuring his understanding.

“A demon is one of the lords of the Demon Realm. It embodies wrath among the Seven Deadly Sins.”
“W-Wrath?”
“Yes. The term ‘demon’ was used to mean an adversary of the divine and the Celestial Realm. Though it’s been ages since one appeared, they were so fearsome that the term became a tool to frighten children—’the demon will take you away,’ that sort of thing. It’s a word Grandfather uses often.”

He chuckled at the mention of Sterin’s frequent use of the phrase.

“I… I see…”

I bit my trembling lip and rolled my eyes toward Wrath.

‘You were called a demon too?’
-Humans once referred to me as such, yes.

Wrath nodded his fleshy head, murmuring that there were indeed such times in the past.

‘Satan, the adversary of God and the Heavenly Realm….’

Wrath had constantly cursed the Heavenly Realm and God, shouting for conflict at every opportunity. Considering that mad demeanor, it was hardly strange that he was called God’s adversary.

-But to call me impulsive! The True Demon King has always been composed, rational, and beautiful!

He trembled with rage, muttering nonsensical protests.

‘Of all the Demon Lords, why did it have to be Satan….’

I swallowed hard and turned my gaze toward Sterin, the Red-haired Elf’s guardian.
It occurred to me that he might have sensed Wrath’s presence and spoken that name. Tension began filling my chest once more.

“Remarkable.”

Yet contrary to my expectations, Sterin’s opening words were praise.

“I have never seen a human possess purer mana than we elves.”

A faint light flickered in his eyes as he spoke with genuine admiration.

“What is even more curious is the grade of your soul. I sense a lofty grade that cannot be reached at your current level. It is strange—another’s grade seems intertwined with yours.”

Sterin gazed into my eyes, reciting his words as though entranced by something.

“….”

I clenched my fists as I listened to Sterin’s words.

‘Is he sensing Wrath’s presence because he is a High Elf?’

Neither the White Blood Cult Master, nor the Holy Sword Master, nor even Glen had detected Wrath’s existence.
As a High Elf who communed with nature itself, Sterin seemed to perceive Wrath’s presence in a way others could not.

“Did I not tell you!”

Erian swung his fist triumphantly.

“That man has definitely been chosen by the Spirit King!”
“The Spirit King. You mean fire or water?”
“Yes. Guardian, you should be able to sense it even better than I can—the pure essence of fire and water dormant in that man’s dantian!”

He continued shouting with unwavering conviction. I wished he would just stay quiet.

“Hmm….”

Sterin stroked his chin habitually and nodded.

“Spirit King or whatever. First things first—we should introduce ourselves properly. I’m Sterin, Guardian of Sepia.”
“My apologies. I should have introduced myself first.”

I placed my hand over my chest and bowed respectfully.

“I am Raon Zigheart, Commander of the Gale Wind Squad of Zigheart.”
“Hmm?”

Sterin’s eyes widened as he looked at me.

“Did you just say Raon Zigheart?”
“Yes.”
“The Dragon Slayer Raon Zigheart. Yes, with that power and stature, you certainly live up to that name.”

He let out a low exclamation of understanding.

“Pretty impressive, right? I raised this guy myself!”

Rimer threw his arm around my shoulder and laughed.

“…Pretty impressive?”

Sterin’s eyes narrowed, apparently unaccustomed to Rimer’s casual tone.

“Are you really Rimer?”
“Why are you being so cold! I’m the grandson that Grandfather raised himself!”

Rimer placed his hands on his hips as if he were about to drop his pants.

“That’s enough.”

Sterin shook his head while observing the fluttering right sleeve of Rimer’s garment.

“He’s changed so much that I can’t seem to adjust to it.”

He exhaled a sigh and turned his gaze back toward Raon.

“There must have been some friction on the way here, and I apologize on their behalf. Everyone’s nerves have been on edge with an important matter looming ahead.”

Sterin lowered his eyes, acknowledging the rudeness shown to his guest.

“No one was injured, so it’s fine. But if it’s an important matter….”

Not only Sterin, but both Erian and Leiran had mentioned it was a sensitive time, and seeing that there wasn’t a single human in Sepia suggested they were indeed preparing for something significant.

“We’re preparing for a purification ceremony.”
“A purification ceremony?”
“Just as a tree draws in stale air to purify the atmosphere, the World Tree accepts the corrupted energies of this world and purifies them.”
“Ah….”

It was something I had heard from Rimer before. I thought he was exaggerating, but it seemed to be true.

“However, even the World Tree cannot purify the malevolent energies spreading across the entire Continent by itself. Once every twenty years, the High Elves resonate with the World Tree to remove the accumulated impurities within—that is the elves’ purification ceremony.”

Sterin provided a brief explanation of the purification ceremony. It seemed like a courtesy he could extend because I was Rimer’s disciple.

“Ah! That’s right!”

Rimer let out an exclamation and raised his clenched fist.

“It’s time for the purification ceremony! Now I understand!”

He nodded, realizing why the Guardians had blocked the path.

“….”

Sterin kept his mouth firmly shut, regarding Rimer with a piercing gaze.

“Who are you?”
“Pardon?”

Rimer blinked, as if questioning what he’d just heard.

“There’s no way an elf from Sepia would forget the purification ritual.”

Sterin’s intent grew unnervingly sharp, as though he believed Rimer had been possessed by something. He looked ready to strike him down if the answer proved wrong.

“The first swordsmanship Grandfather taught me was the Meteor Sword. I still remember when he recited the incantation beneath the World Tree—what are you talking about!”

Rimer counted on his fingers, reciting memories he’d shared with Sterin one by one.

“Then it really is….”

Sterin’s lips trembled as he gazed at Rimer. An elf. A high elf who had even transcended—he never imagined he’d see one so flustered.

“I’m Grandfather’s grandson. A little… no….”

Rimer scratched the back of his head with a nervous laugh.

“Quite a bit damaged.”
“….”

Sterin’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily.

‘Good grief….’
-He really is mad….

Raon and Wrath shook their heads simultaneously.

*

*

*

“Ahem.”

Sterin cleared his throat and shook his head.

“My apologies. That boy has changed so much that I’m a bit….”
“I understand.”

I shook my head. Anyone would be bewildered to see a grandson who was once so well-mannered return in such a ruined state. It was entirely understandable.

“Then you came all this way to escort Rimer?”
“Yes. I followed him just in case, but I didn’t know there was something as important as a purification ritual.”
“It’s fine. That fool forgot about it anyway.”
“Grandfather! What kind of thing is that to call your grandson!”
“Quiet!”

In that brief moment, Sterin adapted and began treating Rimer the same way Glen did.

“Oh! That reminds me!”

Rimer approached Sterin with confident strides.

“Why did I become the one who stole the sacred relic!”

He lifted the sword at his waist before Sterin, his brow furrowed.

“That sword….”

Sterin gazed at the blade in Rimer’s hands with hazy eyes.

“I gave it to you because I hoped you would become the head of the Guardians. You left Sepia not long after receiving the sword, so you became a thief in the process.”
“Ugh….”
“I thought you’d return quickly, but I didn’t expect you to spend a lifetime away, and even less did I expect you to return as broken as you are now. I suppose I should visit the Head of House Zigheart.”

After the purification ritual, Sterin seemed to think he would need to visit Zigheart, and he adjusted the crimson bow hanging on the wall.

“That does sound entertaining.”

Rimer smacked his lips, having forgotten that the problem arose because of him. I had felt it since his training days—he truly was a hopeless person.

“Guardian.”

Raon stepped between Rimer and Sterin, lowering his head respectfully.

“The Head of House came to return that sword.”
“That’s right.”

Rimer nodded calmly and extended the sword he held toward Sterin.

“Return it?”
“Yes. I don’t believe I’m worthy of wielding the sacred treasure of the Rion clan with this arm.”

He smiled faintly, gazing at his empty right shoulder.

“How did you lose that arm?”
“….”

Rimer didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned to look at Raon, Dorian, and Yua standing behind him in turn, his eyes gleaming with a subtle blue light.

“I entrusted it to the future.”
“Do you harbor any regrets about that choice?”
“None.”
“I see….”

Sterin nodded calmly, as if he understood the circumstances.

“You’ve become somewhat like the grandson I once knew.”

He relaxed his rigid expression into a thin smile and called out to Erian.

“Erian.”
“Yes.”
“Cancel the bounty on Rimer.”
“Understood.”

Erian gazed at Rimer for a moment, then nodded. He appeared to have something to say, but as it was the Guardian’s command, he simply obeyed.

“Guardian. What will you do about that man? He will surely become the Spirit King’s contractor.”

He still refused to yield, crying out that Raon would become the Spirit King’s contractor.

“An unborn Spirit King choosing a contractor—I’ve never heard of such a thing, let alone witnessed it.”
“And the disappearance of the Fire and Water Spirit Kings for such an extended period is equally unprecedented, is it not?”
“Hmm….”

Sterin stroked his chin, studying Raon’s eyes intently.

“Have you perhaps heard any voices, or felt an overwhelming natural presence?”
“Well….”

I met Sterin’s darkened gaze and smacked my lips.

‘Yes. Every single day.’

The cotton candy Demon Lord stood right beside me, but I couldn’t possibly mention that, so I simply shook my head.

“No, I haven’t.”
“As I suspected.”
“You see? A human could never be a Spirit King’s contractor.”

Leiran shook her head firmly.

“I share that view. Still, there’s no harm in putting it to the test.”
“Guardian?”

She widened her eyes, clearly taken aback.

“I cannot summon a Spirit King myself, after all….”

Sterin raised his hand, and a red cat materialized above his palm, its entire form—from its perked ears to its swaying tail—ablaze with crimson flames.

‘This cat….’

Despite its small size, its aura surpassed even the highest-tier spirits Erian had summoned. It appeared to be a supreme Fire Spirit.

Meow… Kyaaaow!

The cat yawned, but the moment its eyes met mine, it recoiled sharply and began trembling.
It started to lower its upper body in a cautious stance, but then, unable to resist, it flipped onto its back—the quintessential posture of feline submission.

“What?”

Leiran exhaled sharply as she beheld the superior fire spirit displaying its white fangs. Even her resolute eyes began to waver.

“I was right, wasn’t I? Sterin’s spirit wouldn’t act like that for no reason! It must be a contractor of the Spirit King!”

Erian thumped his chest, affirming his own words.

“A being of such transcendent rank that one cannot even gaze upon it….”

Sterin nodded as he unsummoned the terrified cat spirit.

“Whether it’s the Spirit King or not, I can certainly confirm you’re something special.”

He nodded solemnly, finding himself unable to deny it entirely.

-I’m suffocating here! Not the Spirit King—a Demon Lord of the Demon Realm! You dense-eared fools!

Wrath shook his head furiously, irritated at being compared to the Spirit King.

“If you truly have been chosen by the Spirit King, then our clan has great reason to deepen our ties. Would it be acceptable to meet again after the purification ceremony concludes?”
“Yes. That’s fine with me.”
“Treat them as the clan’s most honored guests.”

Sterin waved his hand, instructing that not only Raon but all of them receive the highest treatment.

“Understood!”
“…Yes.”

Erian nodded emphatically, while Leiran merely offered a response with a skeptical expression.

“Don’t worry about it—continue with what you were doing. He has things to learn from Grandfather anyway.”

Rimer approached Sterin and jerked his chin.

“Things to learn?”
“Yes. I was hoping you could show Raon your spirit summoning technique.”
“Hmm….”

Sterin stroked his chin as he regarded Raon.

“Since you’re my disciple, I suppose there’s no harm in showing you. However, not now. The purification ritual must come first.”
“Hm? Isn’t the purification ritual something Siyan performs?”

Rimer tilted his head, mentioning someone’s name.

“That child isn’t ready yet.”
“What? But she’s of age….”
“She still hasn’t achieved resonance, so there’s nothing to be done about it.”

Sterin shook his head with a somewhat weary expression.

“If she hadn’t been trying, I could understand. But she practices every single day, yet continues to fail. At this point, even I don’t know what to say.”

He shook his head, his disappointment evident.

“So, then….”
“Yes. She’s locked herself in her room and won’t come out.”
“Oh no!”

Rimer’s eyes widened with concern for the first time as he rubbed his forehead.

“Who is Siyan?”

When Raon spoke her name, Rimer turned his head with a slight grimace.

“She’s my younger sister. She’s also the creator of that Nadin bread you’re so fond of.”
“But what do you mean she won’t come out?”
“She made the Nadin bread in the first place to avoid leaving her room.”
-So it was her! Go beat her to death right now!

Wrath swung his fists like a club and let out a furious roar.

“So she made Nadin bread to avoid leaving her room….”

I pushed Wrath aside and opened my mouth in astonishment.

“That’s right.”

Rimer shook his head and let out a sigh.

“That guy’s just a lazy bum holed up in his room.”

*

*

*

“When does volume two come out? I hope it covers the part where he slays the dragon.”

Siyan finished reading the final page of the book titled “The Chronicles of Raon Zigheart” and exhaled with excitement.

“It’s amazing. How can he be so talented at everything?”

She hid her face behind the book, her cheeks flushed crimson.

‘It must be talent. The greatest talent among humans.’

Siyan set the book down, her eyes growing somewhat melancholy.

“And it’s a talent I don’t possess….”

She pouted her lips before rising from the bed.

“Sigh….”

Siyan took a slow, deep breath and closed her eyes. With each exhale, crystalline mana—pure as an untouched lake—began to flow.

Whoooosh!

The azure mana, swirling in a solemn current, advanced toward her upper dantian before abruptly cutting off as if blocked by a dam.

“Ugh….”

Siyan opened her eyes, her lips pressed firmly together.

‘I failed again….’

High Elves possess certain abilities that ordinary elves cannot attain. Among them, the most crucial is resonance—the harmonization of oneself with nature itself.

Only by achieving resonance could one truly be called a High Elf, and only then could the World Tree be purified. Yet I had failed to accomplish this even now.

‘I’m a High Elf too, so why can’t I do this?’

Grandfather and the other High Elves had naturally achieved resonance from birth, yet here I was, well into adulthood, still unable to commune with the world.

Since childhood, I had trained countless times following Grandfather’s breathing technique, but the path had never opened before me.

As the scrutinizing gazes of the other elves grew more unbearable, decades had now passed since I last left this chamber.

“Why can’t I do it?!”

Siyan raised both hands and let out a scream of anguish.

“I want to be praised by others too, I want to be noticed, so why am I the only one like this?!”
“That’s the shape of it!”

She revealed worldly desires unbecoming of a High Elf, striking the ground in frustration.

“Did Raon Zigheart ever experience something like this? Of course not, right?”

Siyan gazed at her golden hair cascading like sand, then bit her lip.

“I became a High Elf because I wanted to become one….”
“Siyan! Are you in there?”

As she revealed her deep inferiority, a refreshingly bright voice called from beyond the door.

“Oh, big brother?”

Though the tone had changed considerably, it was unmistakably Rimer’s voice.

“There you are! I’m coming in!”
“W-wait! Don’t come in!”
“Come on, don’t be like that. I’m coming in!”
“Ahhh!”

Siyan climbed back onto the bed and pulled the blanket over her head.

Crack!

Rimer shattered the bolt that had locked the door and stepped inside.

“Oh, I told you not to come! Get out!”

Siyan shrieked from beneath the blanket, her eyes barely peeking out.

“That’s cold, treating your older brother this way after so long.”

Rimer clicked his tongue with a wounded expression.

“I-I’m sorry. It was just so sudden….”

Siyan lifted her blue eyes slightly.

“Is that so? Then I can come in?”
“W-well… huh?”

Beside the smiling Rimer stood a golden-haired man with wide, astonished eyes.

Whoosh!

Like a mole diving underground, Siyan burrowed deeper into the blanket and trembled violently.

“W-who is that person!”
“He’s my disciple. He was interested in the bread you made, so I brought him along.”
“B-bread?”
“Nadine bread.”

Rimer chuckled as if it were nothing special.

Raon Zigheart stepped forward and bowed his head.

“I am Raon Zigheart.”
“Gasp!”

At that brief introduction, I heard a sound like breath catching in the blankets.

“R-Raon Zigheart? Really?”

Siyan poked her head out slightly. Her golden hair, luminous with vitality, cascaded down beneath the blanket.

“That handsome guy?”
“Yes. That hand… what?”

I started to answer but blinked in confusion.

‘What is this woman talking about?’

Where did “handsome guy” come from all of a sudden?

I’d never imagined hearing such a thing from an elf, and my mind couldn’t quite process it. A hollow laugh escaped me as I lowered my gaze, and that’s when I noticed a thick book lying beneath the bed with my name emblazoned on its spine.
I let out a hollow laugh and lowered my gaze, when I noticed my name embossed on a thick book lying under the Bedroom.

“This is…”

When I opened the book, it said “Raon Zigheart Biography Volume 1” on the first page, and the author’s name was written right below it.

Ensia Yonan…

Ensia confidently stamped her own name as the author, and at the very bottom, she even engraved Mark, which she had said she would use before, claiming it was an authentic product made with my permission.

“This woman…”

Raon’s hand trembled as he gripped the book, and he squeezed his eyes shut.

“Just how far are you planning to go?!”

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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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