The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 583

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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 583

A colossal serpent of flame that could easily be mistaken for a dragon coiled around the World Tree.

The once-verdant battlefield was carpeted with the half-charred corpses of Elves, and the cloudless azure sky was marred by spreading black fissures that threatened to collapse at any moment.

The Elves unleashed white arrows and wielded formidable spirit magic, yet the serpent of flame disregarded it all, driving its crimson fangs deep into the World Tree.

Crash!

The mana barrier protecting the World Tree shattered into fragments, and scarlet flames erupted from its lower right base.

As despair flooded the eyes of the Elves, a High Elf bearing a striking resemblance to Sterin stepped forward.
Though bearing the exhaustion of battles fought elsewhere, his gaze burned with a keen, piercing light.

An arrow shot by the High Elf like a thunderbolt pierced the serpent’s snout as it burned the World Tree.

The serpent of flame shrieked for the first time, tearing away from the World Tree.
Yet the flames it left behind continued to consume both the interior and exterior of the World Tree.

As the High Elf moved to approach the World Tree to extinguish the fire, a Red-eyed Monster with a spiral horn protruding from its forehead emerged from the widened fissure.

The creature unleashed crimson flames like a serpent’s tongue, blocking the High Elf’s path.

The High Elf furrowed his brow and fired a pristine white arrow at the creature.
But his arrow could not pierce the creature’s inferno and dissolved into nothingness mid-air.

Humans dressed similarly to the Red-eyed Monster poured forth from the fissure it had opened, attacking the Elves and empowering the serpent of flame.

The colossal serpent rose again and, gripping the World Tree tightly, drove its fangs in once more.
The flames engulfing the World Tree burned with deeper intensity, as if drenched in crimson dye.

The High Elf had been exhausted since his arrival, and the deaths of his kin made him desperate, ultimately allowing the creature a fatal opening.

It was but a single mistake, yet the consequence was devastating. The High Elf collapsed with a gaping black hole torn through his abdomen.

The Red-eyed Monster approached the World Tree with a mocking laugh as the High Elf’s breath ceased.
His subordinates unleashed flames in all directions, as if they wanted to erase not just the World Tree but this entire space.

Screeeeeech!

As the battlefield, once brimming with nature’s vitality, transformed into hell and wailed, the black sky split open and brilliant flames poured down like the sun itself.

Golden flames extending alongside a tremendous wind consumed the crimson inferno scorching the earth and the Red-eyed Monster’s subordinates in a single breath.

A swordsman clad in silver armor descended upon the split earth from the darkness.

That familiar back. It was the Zigheart Ancestor.

Without a word, he pointed his blade at the monster.

The Red-eyed Monster’s expression, which had exuded composure throughout, twisted.

The Red-eyed Monster extended his hand forward, wreathed in flames as he had done when killing the High Elf.
But this assault was on an entirely different scale. Ten spheres of flame ignited in midair, becoming meteors that rained down upon the Ancestor’s head.

The Zigheart Ancestor did not look at the cascading spheres of flame. Focusing only on the monster, he gently opened the hand gripping his blade.

Boom!

The blade released from his hand became an explosive golden flash, piercing through the monster’s heart, shattering even the head of the crimson serpent, before embedding itself in the center of the World Tree.

Now I could see it. The Dark Sword. The Ancestor seemed to have infused the sword with the profound mystery of destruction through his will.

The monster looked down at his own chest, now pierced through with disbelief, and collapsed. The serpent of flames, having lost its head, thrashed about before scattering into dust.

“I’m sorry.”

The Ancestor murmured his apologies to the dead elves for arriving too late as he approached the World Tree.

Observing the base and roots of the World Tree, now blackened as if dying, he furrowed his brow.

“At this rate, it will have no choice but to perish.”

The World Tree had suffered too great a shock, just as the Ancestor said. If only the exterior had burned, it might have recovered on its own, but the serpent had pierced holes through the World Tree with its fangs and burned its interior as well, leaving no apparent way to save it.

“Perhaps this too is fate.”

The Zigheart Ancestor closed his eyes deeply, then opened them and retrieved a red orb and a blue orb from what appeared to be a spatial pouch.

Actually, I wasn’t certain they were orbs. They resembled animal eggs, yet also seemed like precious gems.
What was certain was that they radiated a pure, primordial natural essence I had never felt before.

The Zigheart Ancestor inserted one orb into each of the puncture wounds left by the flame serpent’s fangs, then sealed the holes using the Manhwagong’s flames.

“Live.”

He lifted his gaze and gently caressed the World Tree.

Uuuuuung!

The World Tree, sensing the Zigheart Ancestor’s heart, trembled softly and swayed its branches and leaves. The surviving transparent leaves scattered in a hazy drift.

After tending to the World Tree for a long while, the Zigheart Ancestor rose and turned away. His crimson eyes trembled intensely, as though staring directly at me.

The moment I leaned my upper body forward to examine his face more clearly, the ring of fire resonated once more and my vision darkened.

*

*

*

“…on. Raon!”
“Ah….”

I stirred weakly at someone’s call.

“Did you not sleep last night? Why are you dozing while standing?”

Rimer chuckled, remarking that I wasn’t Lunan Slion and questioning why I was spacing out.

“My apologies.”

I wiped the cold sweat trickling down my forehead and shook my head.

“Where have you been sneaking off to again?”

Wrath leaned against my shoulder, his blue eyes narrowing with suspicion.

‘I just went to see the Ancestor for a moment.’
“Nonsense as always!”

Despite my honest answer, he naturally refused to believe me and turned his head away sharply.

I chuckled softly as I gazed upon the World Tree. Having grown far more magnificent than my memories suggested, as if the ancient conflagration had never touched it, I felt the Ancestor’s greatness anew.

‘But…’

What exactly was that Strange Being?’

Those Strange Beings that appeared whenever I glimpsed the Ancestor’s memories. They looked demonic with their inverted black and white eyes, yet the aura they emanated was unmistakably human.

‘And what about that orb?’

The Ancestor and that orb must have worked together not merely to revive the dying World Tree, but to make it grow even larger. I found myself curious about what that orb truly was.

‘Is it still inside the World Tree?’

Since it was an orb left behind by the Zigheart Ancestor and the World Tree had survived so well, I wanted to claim it if I could.

“Sigh…”

As I pondered how to locate the orb, I heard Rimer let out a heavy sigh.

“There are some stubborn old-timers here.”
“Pardon?”
“The typical elf elders you were thinking of are standing right over there.”

Rimer pointed his finger toward the Elves positioned behind the World Tree.
There were eleven elderly Elves with visible wrinkles like Sterin, and behind them stood younger Elves dressed as Guardians, arranged in formation.

“Those are…”
“The Elder Council.”

Rimer furrowed his brow as he watched the Elves approaching.

“Ugh….”

At the mention of the Elder Council, Siyan trembled violently, a short gasp escaping her lips as she pulled the blanket over herself.
It seemed those Elders were indeed the ones who had nagged and insulted her all this time.

“We greet you, Guardian.”

The blonde-haired Elf standing in the center bowed deeply to Sterin.

“Did you come early to prepare the purification ceremony?”

Sterin nodded, expressing gratitude for their preparation of the purification ceremony.

“Of course, it is our duty. However….”

The blonde Elder’s gaze turned toward Raon.

“Why is there a human in this place?”

His expression went beyond mere confusion—he displayed clear displeasure.

“This is a sacred sanctuary for Elves alone. Humans have no business being here.”
“It will be fine. That human will become the Spirit King’s contractor.”

The answer came not from Rimer or Sterin, but from Erian, who stood behind the Elders. He continued to proclaim Raon as the Spirit King’s contractor, raising his fist triumphantly.

“Erian.”
“Yes, Grand Elder.”

Erian bowed his head confidently.

“I did not ask for your input. Keep silent.”
“I-I apologize.”

At the Grand Elder’s cold tone, Erian flinched and stepped back.

“Guardian.”

The Grand Elder clicked his tongue briefly and turned his gaze back to Sterin.

“Let me ask again. How did a human come to set foot on this sacred land?”

His cold eyes pierced through the air with unmistakable disdain.

“You know it was humans who tried to burn the World Tree!”
“Are you suggesting that the human who attacked Sepia and this child are one and the same?”

Sterin’s voice remained composed as his eyes narrowed to slits.

“They are no different! They are both human, are they not!”

The Grand Elder’s voice rose as if in agitation, yet his eyes still gleamed with that same frigid light.

“All I learned from my ancestors is that humans nearly burned the World Tree!”

He pointed to the right base of the World Tree, where scorch marks from the inferno still lingered.

“The Grand Elder speaks truth.”
“Humans must never desecrate this holy ground.”
“Cast them out at once!”
“Guardian!”

The other elders shook their heads in agreement, unwilling to accept the situation.

I furrowed my brow as I observed the stubborn expressions etched across the elders’ faces.

‘They left no record of it.’

In my memories, the Zigheart Ancestor had departed this place without meeting anyone after saving the World Tree. It seemed his act of salvation had never been inscribed in history.

“We accepted trade with humans at the Guardian’s request, but the World Tree is absolutely off-limits.”

The Grand Elder stood firm, blocking the path with unwavering confidence.
From what I gathered, Sterin had apparently struck a deal with the Elder Council on the condition of maintaining relations with humans.

“Hmm….”

Sterin’s eyes narrowed as if he hadn’t anticipated such interference.

“How stingy.”

Rimer moved to Sterin’s side and shook his head disapprovingly.

“He’s my disciple. Surely you could show some understanding for that much….”
“You’re a problem too.”

The Grand Elder turned his gaze toward Rimer, his expression contorting with displeasure.

“A wretch corrupted by humans dares to open his mouth in this sacred place!”

His eyes grew sharper as he glared at Rimer—far more piercing than when he’d looked at me.

“You old fool! Want to experience what true wretchedness feels like?”
“Enough.”

As Rimer was about to lose control, Sterin stepped forward.

“Do you all share this sentiment?”
“We do.”

The Elders stood behind the Grand Elder, lending their weight to his position.

“And….”

The Grand Elder’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Siyan standing beside me.

“To enter this sacred space in such a state—I wonder how far you intend to debase the dignity of our people, Siyan.”
“U….”

Siyan trembled beneath the sharp edge of his voice and presence.

“Remove that human and Rimer from this place at once. As for you, Siyan—in your current state, I cannot permit you to enter.”

The more piercing the Grand Elder’s gaze became, the more violently Siyan’s shoulders shook.

“Are you suggesting we try right now?”

Sterin’s irritation finally surfaced as he lifted his chin, his aura turning glacial.

“That cannot be. We think only of the Elves’ prosperity. Please reconsider.”

The Grand Elder waved his hand and stepped back.

“Please reconsider!”

Yet the Elders who sided with him and the other Elves refused to yield, standing their ground.

“Hmm….”
“My lord.”

As Sterin’s lips thinned while observing the Elves, I gestured toward Rimer.

“The Protector of the Elves is like a Head of House or a king, isn’t he?”
“Well, yes.”
“Yet there are many here who disregard their king.”

At my words—tinged with mockery—the Elders and Sterin’s gazes turned toward me.

“What did you just say?”
“Isn’t it true?”

I stepped forward, my lips curling into a smile.

“The Protector told me he would show me the World Tree two days ago. Since the other Elves knew, you Elders couldn’t possibly have been ignorant. Yet you didn’t question it immediately—instead, you came all this way to block the path. That’s nothing but disrespect toward the Protector, isn’t it?”
“That is… well….”

The Elders had no rebuttal and averted their eyes.

“Even the humans you despise pause their factional disputes when outside guests arrive, showing only their Family’s best face. Yet you so-called superior Elves display nothing but your own shame before humans.”
“That’s not it. We….”
“Ah, well, none of that matters anyway.”

I cut off the Grand Elder’s words abruptly.

-Here it comes. Cutting off their words!

Wrath furrowed his brow as he watched Raon.

-This bastard’s most infuriating finishing move number one!

He bit his lip, muttering that the most annoying thing was when he cut off my words before I could even make an excuse.

“I find what you’re saying rather amusing, actually.”
“Amusing?”

The Grand Elder’s brow furrowed deeply. His aura sharpened like blades, slicing through the air with lethal intent.

“If you don’t speak plainly, you won’t even receive treatment as a guest.”

He genuinely appeared angered, his brow creasing with displeasure.

“Grand Elder!”
“Wait a moment.”

As Sterin moved to intervene directly, Rimer raised his hand.

“Trust him this once. He must have his reasons.”

Rimer smiled, saying that Raon wasn’t the type to act without purpose.

“Well, that’s true.”

Siyan murmured in agreement, saying she’d read about it in the book and should trust him.

“Hmm….”

Sterin stepped back with his arms crossed, listening to his grandchildren’s words.

“Exactly. Who ever guaranteed that the World Tree belongs to the Elves? From what I can see, the World Tree seems to like me more than you.”
“You’ve completely lost your mind. I’ve served the World Tree since I crawled on all fours. I devoted my entire life to the World Tree—if only I weren’t merely an Elf. Where do you get off speaking such arrogant nonsense!”

The Grand Elder scoffed, dismissing it as mere drivel.

“The World Tree has kept its heart closed for over hundreds of years since the humans set it ablaze.”

He turned and approached the World Tree.

“However, through the efforts of countless Elves, it began to open its heart a hundred years ago.”

As the Grand Elder placed his hand upon the World Tree, its branches shimmered, releasing crystalline mana into the air. The rich, intoxicating fragrance of abundant mana—as if the very world had been transformed—permeated the space.

“Are you suggesting that you can handle the World Tree better than I, despite all this?”

He shook his head, dismissing such nonsense.

“Leave at once—”
“Then shall we make a wager, Grand Elder?”
“A wager?”
“Yes.”

I stepped beside the Grand Elder and gazed up at the World Tree. Observing the tree that humans had killed and humans had revived, I nodded.

“If I can draw a greater response from the World Tree than you, what will you do?”
“Ha!”

The Grand Elder let out a hollow laugh, utterly bewildered.

“You’ve lost your mind….”
“You’re seeing the World Tree for the first time today, yet you spout such arrogance!”
“So the Dragon Slayer who captured Kaibar is just a madman after all?”

The other Elders and Elves frowned in disbelief.

“If I lose, I will take Rimer and leave this place, never to return again.”

I offered a faint smile, willing to grant the Elders exactly what they desired.

“Hey, wait! Why are you wagering me too!”

Rimer, who had been shouting for me to believe in myself, shook his head in bewilderment. Sterin, however, maintained his initial trust and said nothing.

“You’ll keep your word, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Good. If the World Tree accepts you, I will grant you everything you desire.”

The Grand Elder twisted his lips, saying the World Tree would never accept a human.

“I have two conditions. First, I receive the Fruit of the Mountain.”
“So you’re showing your greed after all.”

The Grand Elder let out a scoff, as if he’d expected this.

“And second, you and the Elders kneel before me, Siyan, and the Guardians, and apologize for your rudeness.”
“What?”
“How dare you!”

The Elders widened their eyes, as if they never expected such words to come out.

“That’s fine.”

The Grand Elder shook his head with a slight smile playing at his lips.

“It won’t happen anyway. Say whatever you want.”
“Then I’ll add one more later.”

Raon muttered that he’d caught them well and raised a finger.

“…Me, what about me?”

Rimer tilted his head as he looked between Raon and the Elders. All the other names had been mentioned, but his own was missing.

Raon approached the World Tree with measured steps. He gently caressed the right side, where color had not yet fully returned—the very place where the Zigheart Ancestor had placed the orb and touched it.

‘Humans tried to kill you, but humans also tried to save you.’

Like the Ancestor, I operated the Manhwagong and the Ring of Fire to help the World Tree recover that memory, gently brushing away the filled portions.
But as if that memory had not yet awakened, the World Tree remained motionless.

“As expected.”
“The World Tree would never accept such a human.”
“Rimer, prepare to leave.”

The Elders and the High Elf let out derisive laughter as they watched the World Tree show no reaction.

“Guardian, what a shame this has turned out to be.”

The Grand Elder’s lips curved into a crescent moon despite his words, and he lifted his chin with satisfaction.

“You seemed to care for that human, yet he trampled your consideration beneath his own greed. Humans are simply creatures of such nature.”
“….”

Sterin remained silent, his gaze fixed solely upon Raon’s back.

“You there.”

The Grand Elder’s smile deepened as he gestured with his hand. The Guardians standing behind him stepped forward.

“Expel that human, Rimer, and Siyan. Drive the human and Rimer from Sepia entirely….”

As he continued with mockery lacing his words, transparent leaves drifted down from empty air.

“Hm?”

The moment the Grand Elder lifted his head, the World Tree spread its branches like unfurling wings, releasing a magnificent aura as it trembled. The World Tree’s resonance, spreading like a crystalline bell’s chime, carried longing and gratitude as it soared to the very edge of the Sky.
The World Tree’s resonance, spreading like a crystalline bell’s chime, carried longing and gratitude as it soared to the very edge of the Sky.

“W-what is this!”
“Aah….”
“The World Tree emitting such a resonance….”

The Elves’ mouths fell agape at the World Tree’s wave, which radiated a brilliance more luminous than ever before.

“Uh….”

As the Grand Elder’s eyes bulged as though they might burst from their sockets, Raon turned around.

“What are you doing? Kneel.”

He curled his lips into a thin smile and tilted his chin.

“Kneel.”

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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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