The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 609

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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 609

I recalled Deningrose’s words and pressed my lips together firmly.

“Did you just say assassins?”
“Yes.”

Deningrose nodded with a composed gaze.

“The agent dispatched after your information request is from an assassin background. And quite an exceptional one in that world, at that.”

If she called them exceptional, they were definitely an assassin who had made a name for themselves before retirement.

“That agent said they detected the scent of assassins from a man who appears to be Jubel and several others around him.”
“The scent of assassins….”

Who understands assassins best?

Many would say bodyguards, but that wasn’t actually true.

Assassins possessed distinctive behavioral patterns, so those who understood and recognized them best were fellow practitioners of the same trade.

“Sigh….”

I exhaled sharply and leaned my upper body forward.

“So the agent from an assassin background is saying Jubel is an assassin?”
“That’s right. They’re doing collection work there, but they said Jubel seems like an assassin. Of course, it’s speculation, so it’s not certain.”

Deningrose said it was speculation while not blinking once. It meant she was certain.

“And you said the people around Jubel are also assassins?”
“Yes. Not all of them, but a considerable number are assassins, I’ve heard.”

She nodded, indicating it wasn’t just one or two.

“Then that means there’s someone there who needs to be killed.”

I sighed while touching the teacup from which heat was rising.

“That’s right. There’s no other way.”

Deningrose nodded, sharing the same thought.

“Jubel resides in Raven Village, which is located near the Sran Tribe. It’s not large, but it’s a medium-sized village either. I heard that since he settled there over a year ago, the locals now regard him as one of their own. He’s also become close with the Sran Tribe and apparently receives invitations to their gatherings.”
“Hmm….”

I gazed at the gently rippling tea before tilting my head in confusion.

“If he’s an assassin, he should have changed his appearance. It’s surprising he was discovered.”

Assassins rarely reveal their true forms. It was remarkable that Jubel had exposed his identity while maintaining his actual appearance, aside from his name.

“You don’t know much about the Sran Tribe, do you?”
“I only know it as a place where many shamans of the Beast Alliance reside.”
“That’s right. Shamans live there. However, some of them possess a unique ability.”
“A unique ability?”
“Yes. It’s an eye technique called the Eye of the Heart.”

Deningrose moistened her lips with tea and continued speaking.

“The Eye of the Heart?”
“It’s called the eye of the mind, and I heard it allows one to discern the true intentions of others.”
“You don’t mean they can read minds?”
-Huh?

Wrath lifted his head with wide eyes.

‘Why are you so surprised? Don’t they have something like that in the Demon Realm?’
-W-What are you saying? The True Demon King might have actually possessed such an ability!

Might have possessed, not actually possessing.
Whether it was because he rarely lied or because he was a cowardly demon king, his bluffing was peculiarly awkward.

“Centuries ago, there were apparently shamans who could truly read minds, but now they can only see whether someone’s outward appearance matches reality. In other words, they cannot conceal their true form.”

Deningrose shook her head, saying that reading minds was merely a legend.

-Hmph! As expected.

Wrath rolled his eyes and nodded.

-There’s no way humans possess such an ability! Even the Demon Realm doesn’t have such a power, so how could a mere human read minds….

I ignored Wrath’s muttering and gazed at Deningrose.

“So Jubel revealed her true form because….”
“That’s right. She must have approached in her true form to break through the hearts of the shamans using the Mind’s Eye. That’s when we spotted her.”
“I see.”

I nodded briefly. Now everything made sense.

‘It’s become even clearer.’

In assassin terminology, what Jubel did—staying in that village and winning the hearts of its people—is called laying groundwork.
It was clear that after gaining their trust through this groundwork, she intended to kill someone from the Sran Tribe.

‘Of all things, an assassin….’

Judith’s life resembled my past self’s.

Being held on a leash by a worthless master and forced to do unwilling tasks—it was no exaggeration to say they were identical.

The only difference was that she still had family remaining, which was better than my situation, yet that same family kept her bound, which was worse than mine.

Even though Judith said I had helped her greatly, I regarded her specially because I saw my past self reflected in her. But hearing that her younger sibling lived as an assassin made me think of Derus Robert, and my chest churned with boiling anger.

‘This could become a dangerous situation.’

If I got caught up in the wrong moment, I could be mistaken for an assassin or find myself at the center of an assassination.

‘Sigh.’

I slowly closed my eyes. Even now, over twenty years later, Derus’s atrocities surfaced as vividly as if they had happened yesterday.
Even if I took revenge, I would never forget what he did to me.

That’s why I didn’t want Judith and her younger sibling, who resembled me, to suffer the same fate.

‘I will never live like that man.’

I must protect my subordinates.

I lifted my gaze, resolving to live differently from Derus Robert, who had treated his subordinates worse than discarded rags.

“Judith hasn’t been found anywhere yet. She may not have arrived at Raven Village, but she could be in disguise or hiding somewhere outside.”
“That’s likely.”

I nodded. Judith had received spy training, so while she was weak in combat, she was skilled at concealing her presence and had a cautious nature. She wouldn’t be discovered easily.

“But who are the assassins targeting?”
“We don’t know that either.”

Deningrose sighed and shook her head. It was rare for her to admit she didn’t know something.

“I’d like to simply say the Sran Tribal Chief, but we have too little information. We still don’t even know which assassin organization they belong to. I apologize.”
“No, that’s more than enough.”

I shook my head. I was already deeply grateful for gathering this much information in such a short time.

“Are you leaving?”
“Of course I am.”

I drained the teacup completely and rose from my seat. An unwavering flame flickered across my eyes.

“Because it concerns my subordinates.”

*

*

*

I finished all preparations for departure to Raven Village and left my room.

“Hm?”

As I headed toward the Entrance Hall, I encountered Ensia and Siyan passing through the corridor.

“Where are you going, the handsome Raon?”

Ensia stepped forward and bowed her head.

“W-wait, the handsome Raon!”

Siyan rushed over after Judith, calling out “handsome” as well.

-Are those two sisters who separated when they were young?

Wrath shook his head as he observed Siyan and Judith, who had grown closer than actual siblings.

‘That might be the case.’

I swallowed a sigh internally and approached the two of them.

“I was planning to do some training outside the Family Estate.”
“As expected, it’s training.”

Ensia laughed as if she had known it all along.

“But Raon.”

She moistened her lips and took another step closer.

“Can we continue writing your biography?”
“My biography….”

I frowned as I looked at the unfinished book they held in their arms.

“We’re planning to release two more volumes—one for the Dragon Slayer arc and another for Sepia’s Savior arc.”

Ensia laughed, saying she had already finished planning everything and would even redesign the book cover.

“You’re going to do it anyway, even if I don’t give permission.”

Whether it was Ensia or Siyan, their drive in this matter was on par with Merlin’s—they would definitely do it regardless of my objections.

“No, we won’t do it without your consent.”

Ensia shook her head, saying that naturally the opinion of the person involved was most important.

“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Then don’t do it.”
“Ah…”
“Um…”

The moment I said not to do it, Ensia and Siyan’s faces turned pale and rigid. Both of them stared at me with expressions as if the world had crumbled.

“Sigh…”

I couldn’t meet their eyes and shook my head.

“Do as you wish.”
“Yes!”
“Thank you! You’re the best!”

Despite having me right here in front of them, the two of them were so excited about making a book that they rushed off toward the library.

-You will regret this, I tell you.

Wrath glared at me with eyes that contradicted his words of regret—they gleamed with envy instead.

‘Perhaps I will.’

I chuckled softly and left the Annex Building, only to find Sylvia standing at the base of the entrance stairs.

“Where are you headed?”

Sylvia approached with a radiant smile.

“I’m going to do some training. It will take a few days.”
“I see. Have a safe journey.”

She waved her hand encouragingly.

“Send my regards to Judith.”
“Of course…”

Upon hearing Judith’s name, I immediately turned around.

“I’m not sure what you mean….”
“I found it strange from the moment you mentioned Judith taking leave. Do you think your mother wouldn’t notice?”

Sylvia laughed, telling me not to think of deceiving her.

“That girl was fascinating from the first time I saw her. She seemed calm, yet as if being chased by something. Her face brightened after becoming your exclusive subordinate, but now I see that urgency returning. Is she in a dangerous situation?”
“…I suppose I’ll need to see for myself.”

Sylvia seemed to know the situation to some extent, so I didn’t try to hide it.

“Just bring her back safely. I’ll have something delicious prepared.”

Sylvia laughed, asking me to bring Judith back unharmed.

-Something delicious?

Wrath, who had been yawning with boredom, suddenly perked up his head.

-What is this delicious thing!
“I’ll be going then.”

I bowed to Sylvia and turned to leave.

-Wait, just a moment!

Wrath rushed toward Sylvia, shouting.

-What is this delicious thing! Please, just tell me the menu!

*

*

*

In the heart of a forest where elongated trees stretched like spears and sharp thickets pierced the sky stood a wall constructed from the bones of monsters.

Exhausted, beads of sweat glistened on the forehead of the brown-haired youth as he stood before the Bone Tower’s wall, his head bowed. Despite his tattered clothing, his blue eyes gleamed with striking clarity.

“I’m Philip! Please open the gate!”

At the youth’s cry—who had introduced himself as Philip—a face emerged from atop the bone wall.
Though his skin was darkened by the sun, the middle-aged man possessed clean, sharp features, and he smacked his lips thoughtfully.

“Why did you arrive so quickly?”
“A promise with the Tribal Chief must be kept as precisely as a blade’s edge.”

Philip scratched his head with a gentle smile.

“I can’t bring myself to hate that.”

The middle-aged man, addressed as the Tribal Chief, gestured with his finger, and the wall split open, revealing a gate wide enough for two people to pass through.

“Thank you.”

Philip bowed once more and stepped through the gate into the interior.

Small huts constructed in mushroom-like shapes stood haphazardly throughout, and at the village’s center, the Bone Tower rose as if touching the heavens.
The tower, stained with an obsidian hue, evoked not grotesqueness but rather grandeur.

“You come here every day, yet you gaze at it as if seeing it for the first time. Come this way.”

At the Tribal Chief’s gesture, Philip gasped and approached him.

“That tower seems to draw me in each time I see it. I find it difficult to tear my eyes away.”
“You have a keen eye. Our ancestors would be pleased.”
“Is that tower the one built after defeating the monsters that invaded the village?”
“Indeed. Thousands upon thousands rushed at us, or so the tales say. Had our ancestor, once called the Four Kings, not been present, our tribe would have been annihilated.”

The Tribal Chief glanced up at the tower once more, a faint smile crossing his face.

“Truly a remarkable figure.”
“Enough with the flattery—retrieve the item.”
“But I wasn’t flattering…”

Philip twisted his lips and opened the pouch hanging from his waist.
Inside were various medicinal herbs, poisonous plants, and flowers—all vibrant and fresh, as if just picked.

“Annoyingly excellent.”

The Sran Tribal Chief examined the herbs and poisonous plants Philip had brought, letting out a hollow laugh.

“How is it that you manage to find better materials than our own people? Where on earth do you gather them?”
“Trade secrets, I’m afraid.”

Philip laughed, pressing a finger to his lips.

“In any case.”

The Sran Tribal Chief patted Philip’s head approvingly.

“Very well. I’ll grade all of these as premium quality.”

He nodded and extended a pouch to Philip. The sound of gold coins clinked from within.

“Th-thank you so much!”

Philip accepted the pouch and bowed so deeply his head nearly touched the ground.

“Why not stay the night? Fresh game has just arrived—you won’t regret it.”
“I appreciate the offer, but today is when I send money home. I apologize.”
“Ah, I see. You’ve grown into a fine young man.”

The Sran Tribal Chief nodded and patted Philip’s shoulder.

“How is your mother doing?”
….

Philip smiled without answering.

“Go then. Next time you visit, I’ll have prepared a meal you cannot refuse.”
“Thank you. I look forward to seeing you again!”

Philip bowed and departed from the village.

“Hah….”

A young man from the Sran Tribe with wide-eyed surprise approached the tribal chief and let out a hollow breath.

“To reject the tribal chief’s invitation—what an interesting fellow, they say.”
“Well, it’s understandable enough.”
“His mind must be entirely consumed with thoughts of his mother. Despite earning considerable coin, he still wanders about in rags.”
“If his mother has fallen to an incurable illness, his body may be here, but his spirit has no choice but to remain with her.”

The tribal chief clicked his tongue briefly, his expression tinged with sympathy.

“When that boy comes looking for you, treat him well.”
“Of course. We’ve even fed him at our home before sending him off.”

The young man shook his head, saying he was doing well.

“Sigh.”

The tribal chief exhaled deeply as he watched Philip’s receding figure.

*

*

*

After leaving the Sran Tribe, Philip returned to Raven Village, where he had been staying for over a year.

“Back already after finishing work?”
“You’re quite diligent.”
“I wish our son were like you.”

The villagers praised Philip with warm smiles, their affection evident. He had become so thoroughly woven into the fabric of the village.

“No, I still have much further to go.”

Philip offered a good-natured smile and made his way toward his home on the Village Outskirts.
The moment he opened the door and stepped inside, his expression froze with an icy chill.

“I thought I told you not to come during the day.”

I furrowed my brow as I regarded the white-haired middle-aged man seated in the chair to my right.

“You certainly don’t hold back with your superiors. Unit 196.”

The middle-aged man called Philip by his unit designation and narrowed his eyes.

“What is the matter?”
“How are things with the Sran Tribe?”
“I’ve reached the point where I receive invitations to their events and visits to their home.”
“Well, after about a year, you should have built up that much rapport. Though the others haven’t managed it.”

He murmured his appreciation and nodded.

“Have you mapped out their positions?”
“I’ve completed it all.”

Philip said this and produced a piece of paper from his breast pocket.
The paper bore a sketch of the Sran Tribe’s location that he had just visited, with every trap and sorcerous ward marked upon it.

“Then we should begin the operation now, shouldn’t we?”
“Already, sir?”

Philip’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected proposal.

“What? Does it trouble you?”

A chill gleamed in the middle-aged man’s eyes.

“You are an Assassin. Feelings mean nothing. Bonds mean nothing. The Philip here is a fake.”
“….”

Philip did not answer, only biting his lip hard.

“Don’t you wish to see your sister? Jubel.”
“Ugh….”

At the mention of his true name and the word sister, his brow furrowed deeply.

“This is your tenth mission. Complete it properly, and you’ll finally meet your sister.”
“You said the same thing on the fifth mission, yet you never even showed her face!”
“Ah, this time it’s for real.”
“But—”
“Would you prefer to see her as a corpse? Or I could send your corpse to your sister instead. Choose.”
“Ugh….”

Jubel couldn’t respond, his jaw trembling.

“Is my sister doing well?”
“Of course. She’s eating and sleeping comfortably in a wealthy household. You have nothing to worry about.”

The Ogre Warrior shook his head, dismissing the obvious question.

“I’ve been sensing some strange gazes lately, so it’s best we finish this quickly. You remember the target, don’t you?”
“…Yes.”

Philip bit his lips and lowered his head. His eyes, unlike when he’d entered the village, had turned a lifeless black.

“Good. The operation begins tomorrow night when there’s no moon.”

The Ogre Warrior waved his hand and left Philip’s room.

Philip stood motionless in that spot for a long while, like a statue.

*

*

*

On a hill overlooking Raven Village.

Judith bit her lip as she watched Jubel greeting the villagers through Ensia’s spyglass.

‘I’m certain….’

It’s Jubel.

Her skin had suffered considerable damage in the time we’d been apart, and though she’d matured, I knew the moment I laid eyes on her. That child was unmistakably my one and only sister, Jubel.

Above all else, the scar etched upon her forehead remained unchanged.

‘That scar exists because of me.’

It was a wound she’d sustained when she stumbled and scraped against a stone while we fled together. A scar born from my mistake—one I could never forget.

‘She’s been living well.’

From this distance, I couldn’t discern the precise details or hear their words, but she seemed to blend seamlessly with the villagers.

‘But then….’

Judith bit her lip as she gazed down at Jubel.

‘Why is she here?’

Several possibilities surfaced in my mind.

Perhaps Karun had sold her, or she’d escaped, or perhaps her presence here was Karun’s deliberate design.

Regardless of what had transpired, simply witnessing my sister alive filled me with joy.

The child I’d believed dead—seeing her radiant smile kindled a warmth that bloomed within my chest.

Yet as I watched her for the third day, a small desire took root within me.

‘What if she’s being held hostage because of my life, just as I was?’

Just as I’d entered the Annex Building as a spy because of my sister’s life, the thought struck me that Jubel might be suffering in that place because of mine.

If that were true, I could never endure it.

Judith withdrew a small piece of paper from her garment, inscribed upon it her own name and Jubel’s, along with the final words they’d exchanged before parting, then descended the mountain as night fell.

I entered the village with caution. Though I wore a robe and suppressed my presence, the village seemed accustomed to the frequent passage of outsiders, so no one regarded me with suspicion.

I maintained the concealment techniques I’d learned during my spy training and was about to slip the paper through the window of Jubel’s house when—

The window opened cautiously, and a man dressed in night clothes and wearing a black mask leaped out.
The moment I met those blue eyes, I knew instantly who this man was.

“Ju….”

As I was about to call out my sibling’s name, a dagger shot from the Blue-eyed Masked Man’s hand toward Judith’s forehead.

A sharp whistling sound pierced the air!

—————
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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