The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 655

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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 655

“Ugh….”

I pushed myself up, my fingertips trembling.

“Why are you so startled?”

The young kitten—no, Merlin descended onto my shoulder with a meow.

-You’re right about that!

Wrath nodded eagerly.

-To be surprised by the Mad Woman alone! How shameful for a vessel of the True Demon King!
‘Just wipe your drool.’

I shot a glance at Wrath, who was drooling profusely.

-Slurp!

Wrath wiped his drool with his forearm and began crawling stealthily toward the bracelet.

-W-well, the True Demon King is a bit tired right now and shall rest.
‘Running away?’
-Running away?! There is nothing the Lord of Wrath cannot do! I’m simply tired, that’s all!

He trembled as he disappeared into the ice-flower bracelet.

“How long have you been here?”

I turned my gaze to Merlin, leaning my back against the tree. From the way she was asking if I’d done well scratching Kiluwan’s face, it didn’t seem like she’d just arrived.

“Your question is wrong.”

Merlin waved her front paws.

“You should be asking when we started being together, not when I arrived!”
“Oh, well then….”
“Yes! I’ve been with you from the very beginning!”

She laughed, saying she had been with me since I returned to the Family Estate.

“Ugh….”
-Kyaaah!

I let out a dumbfounded groan, and from inside the ice-flower bracelet came Wrath’s scream. With complete honesty, I wanted to scream too.

‘Even as a Grand Master, I couldn’t sense her presence….’

That creature’s animal possession seemed to be the ultimate cheat among cheat magic.

“Actually, I wanted to slit that old man’s throat, but I held back because it seemed like it would interfere with you.”

Merlin spoke regretfully, raising her front paw. Sharp claws suddenly extended from what looked like a soft, fluffy paw.

“Yeah. Thank you….”

I swallowed hard at the sight of those sharply honed claws. I was relieved that Merlin seemed to be developing some patience.

“Ah, that match was fun.”

Merlin grinned and stretched her neck out long.

“I always trust you, but I never expected you to overwhelm an old man with comparable power like that!”
“It wasn’t anything special. I simply knew all of his martial techniques.”
“There are so many who can’t even apply a counter-method even when it’s taught to them!”

She praised my performance and pressed her pink, jelly-like paws firmly against my shoulders. It wasn’t particularly soothing, but strangely, it felt good.

I narrowed my eyes as I watched Merlin massage my shoulders.

‘Wait….’

Merlin follows me almost constantly. The thought occurred to me that she might have seen Derus Robert.

“Did you happen to enter the Sword Master’s Tomb as well?”
“I did go in.”

Merlin nodded as if it were obvious, and I felt a chill run down my spine for asking.

“But my possession was immediately dispelled.”
“Your possession was dispelled?”
“Yes. The space is peculiar. It seems a possession containing a clone cannot enter.”

She bit her lip, saying she wanted to come with her true body, but circumstances prevented it.

“The Sword Scar Land! I really should have witnessed that legend with my own eyes. I’m truly sorry!”

Merlin raised her front paw, offering to pluck out her eyes as an apology.

“Don’t do that! That’s not even your real body! Actually, don’t do it with your true body either!”

I grabbed Merlin’s hand in panic. I thought she’d become more normal, but she was still the same.

“If you say so.”

Merlin smiled brightly and lowered her paw to my thigh.

“But what business kept you away?”

If Merlin couldn’t make it, it must have been something quite significant, and I grew curious.

“Hunting.”

Merlin raised her paw matter-of-factly.

“Hunting?”
“Tacheon has been rapidly expanding Eden’s forces lately. My task was to hunt Named Monsters.”

She nodded, saying she’d caught quite a special one.

“But wouldn’t that be pointless? It would take considerable time for Mana Stones to be created, wouldn’t it?”
“Right. Originally, Eden’s helmets and masks are made from naturally formed Mana Stones. However, Tacheon has developed magic to artificially generate Mana Stones.”
“That’s possible…?”

I exhaled sharply, watching Merlin with exasperation.

“Of course, they won’t possess the same power as the original magical stones. Even masks and helmets crafted from them will be inferior in quality.”

Merlin twisted her lips and lowered her gaze.

“It seems Tacheon needs even such inadequate forces right now.”
“What about the other Oma?”
“The same. They’re quietly gathering their strength.”
“Is it truly war?”

My eyes narrowed to slits. If not only Eden but all of Oma were quietly amassing power, there seemed to be no reason other than war.

“Did Tacheon tell you anything about this?”
“He only assigns tasks. He doesn’t discuss the plans. It’s been quite a while since we’ve met directly.”
“That’s…”
“Yes. It seems his suspicions have grown deeper, just as you said.”

Merlin nodded calmly, as though discussing someone else’s affairs.

“…Be careful.”

I wasn’t sure if it was right to warn Eden’s agent, but I couldn’t simply stand by after all the help she’d given me.

“If your instincts feel wrong, leaving Eden now would be an option.”
“Ehehehe.”
“Why, why are you laughing?”

I leaned back, watching Merlin laugh in that peculiar way.

“Every time you worry about me, my heart flutters. It feels wonderful.”

Merlin’s cheeks flushed crimson as she laughed softly.

“Ugh…”
-Kyaaaah!

Just as I was about to respond with my mouth agape at the absurdity, Wrath’s scream erupted. I had no idea why he was stuck over there if he could hear everything.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

Merlin waved her hand, saying she’d shared all the information she knew. She claimed to be leaving, but there was no doubt she’d be watching through the eyes of some other creature.

“Could you at least give me a heads-up before you show up next time?”
“Huh? I did. I said, ‘Didn’t I do great?'”
“That’s not what I meant….”

I furrowed my brow. Every time I met with Merlin, I felt like I was being dragged into something. Just as I was about to explain again, she waved her hand dismissively.

“This little one is looking for catnip. I heard about it from a cat that’s raised by humans—apparently the scent is so wonderful that it wants to roll around in it.”
“Wait, hold on! What’s catnip?”

I reached out my hand, but Merlin had already vanished, and the cat’s black eyes turned toward me.

“Meow.”

Perhaps because Merlin had left, the round face, the eyes, and the fur standing up like a hedgehog’s spines were incredibly adorable.

“Catnip?”
“Meow.”
“What is that…?”
“Meow!”

The cat unsheathed its claws as if to say I should find it myself.

“Fine, fine….”

I cradled the cat in my arms and searched through Bekmang Mountain. But no matter how hard I looked, catnip was nowhere to be found. Since I didn’t even know what catnip was, I couldn’t tell if I’d simply overlooked it.

Meow!

After three hours of being pummeled by the cat’s soft paws, I descended Bekmang Mountain and headed toward the Annex Building.

“Young Master?”

Helen’s eyes widened as she saw the small kitten cradled in my arms.

“That cat….”
“Helen. Do you happen to know what catnip is?”
“Catnip? Do you mean catmint, sir?”

She nodded, seeming to understand what catnip was.

“Do you have any?”
“No, sir. There’s no way we would.”
“Meow!”

The moment Helen said we didn’t have any, the kitten in my arms threw another soft-fisted punch at me. I’d been searching for catnip for nearly half a day because of this creature, and now it was attacking me—it was heartbreaking.

“We have catmint, sir!”

Dorian’s voice came from behind. I turned to see him raising his hand eagerly.

“You do?”
“Yes. It’s an essential item!”

Dorian muttered about this absurd essential item as he pulled out a plant with a rectangular stem and leaves shaped like rounded triangles.

“Come here!”

The moment he spread the catnip on the ground, the kitten leaped from my arms and bounded toward Dorian.

“Meow!”
“There, there. You’re such a good kitten!”

Dorian pulled out a fishing rod-like cat toy from his ship’s pocket and played with the kitten.

The kitten rolled around on the catnip, playing with Dorian in a way it had never shown me. My heart ached.

“Hey.”

Raon twisted his lips as he watched Dorian.

“Yes?”
“You’ve got it good.”
“Huh…?”

Dorian tilted his head, as if he didn’t understand what I meant.

“That it sounds nice.”

Wrath shook his head with a look of disdain.

-Pathetic bastard.

*

*

*

“Sigh…”

As Sylvia lay in the infirmary bed exhaling a weary breath, the door opened without a knock.

“Raon?”

As she smiled brightly and began to sit up, Aris entered through the open door, carrying a hastily arranged bouquet of flowers.

“I’m sorry it’s not a cute son instead.”

Aris laughed as she handed the bouquet to Sylvia.

“Oh, sister. No, I mean, Lady Aris.”
“Call me sister.”

She shook her head with a slight frown.

“There’s no one around anyway. And even if there were, it doesn’t matter. If anyone complains about it, I’ll crack their skull open.”

Aris bared her teeth, saying she’d fight even if someone called her father.

“Thank you.”

Sylvia accepted the bouquet with a faint smile.

“How is your body feeling?”

Aris Zigheart examined Sylvia’s condition and settled into the chair beside the bed.

“It doesn’t hurt, but having to stay still is a bit frustrating.”

Sylvia sighed, saying she felt trapped.

“I was certainly misjudging you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought you were just a fragile child. I never imagined you’d abandon the family for love, and I certainly didn’t expect you to wield a sword until the brink of death like yesterday.”
“I heard you provided great strength. Thank you.”
“I couldn’t provide strength, which is why things turned out this way. I did nothing.”

Aris Zigheart ruffled the back of her head as if disappointed in herself.

“You gave me the Dragon Heart that created my dantian. And it’s not just me—you’ve helped Raon tremendously as well.”
“Raon is a child I had no choice but to help.”

She nodded while gazing at Sylvia’s eyes, which resembled Raon’s perfectly.

“It’s hard to believe he was born into this broken Zigheart. Despite his age and power, he cherishes people and carries humility with him. He’s grown so well.”

Aris Zigheart smiled softly, more delighted by Raon’s character than his strength.

“I’m not one to envy others, but I envy you when it comes to raising children.”
“Why would you need to envy? He’s your nephew.”

Sylvia laughed while hugging the bouquet of flowers.

“That’s right? He is my nephew? Now that I have his mother’s permission, my heart feels at ease!”

Aris Zigheart clenched her fist, determined to drill the word “aunt” into Raon’s vocabulary.

“I’m sorry.”

She smiled, then locked eyes with Sylvia again and bit her lip.

“Sister?”
“Truth is, I didn’t have the courage to face you. I should have come sooner if I’d known things would turn out like this.”
“Ah….”

Sylvia gazed at Aris Zigheart and pursed her lips. She’d assumed the woman moved only on whim, yet it seemed Aris carried her own weight of burdens.

“Sister.”

Sylvia took Aris Zigheart’s hand and shook her head.

“You needn’t apologize for things you haven’t done. I’m content with how things are now.”
“…Thank you.”

Aris Zigheart squeezed Sylvia’s hand firmly and rose to her feet.

“I’ve seen your face properly now, so I should be going.”
“If you’re leaving….”
“I need to go back to my pirate games. And.”

She gazed out the window where the sun was setting and smiled faintly.

“I should search for that wretched son of mine who’s been out of contact.”
“Ah….”
“I’d decided not to care whether he lived or died, but watching Raon has made me miss him somehow.”

Aris Zigheart waved her hand slowly.

“Once I bring that rascal back, let’s have him spar with Raon. How about the winner buys dinner?”
“That sounds wonderful.”

Sylvia nodded quietly.

“Just make sure you come back soon.”

Aris Zigheart’s eyes returned to their usual sharpness. She smiled brightly and nodded.

“I will.”

*

*

*

Zigheart Audience Chamber.

The platform that once held only the Jade Throne now bore mountains of books in every conceivable variety.

“This is far too elementary, this one lacks proper structure, and this is too simplistic to hold any interest.”

Glen Zigheart leafed through the books one by one, his brow furrowing deeply with dissatisfaction.

“What is the Head of House doing right now?”

Rimer entered the Audience Chamber with a yawn and approached Roen with the question.

“It appears he is selecting martial technique texts to bestow upon Young Master Raon.”

Roen smiled faintly as he observed Glen Zigheart.

“Martial technique texts?”
“Yes. Since Young Master Raon created a new martial technique this time, it seems the Head of House is selecting excellent texts to aid in his next creation.”

He chuckled, noting that Glen Zigheart looked so delighted—a rare sight indeed.

“How could anyone not be delighted?”

Sheryl pushed herself off from the pillar and nodded in agreement.

“His grandson became a Grand Master at such a young age, and on top of that, he possesses the talent of a Great Master. Who wouldn’t be thrilled?”

She laughed, understanding Glen Zigheart’s feelings completely.

“So that’s why there are so many martial technique texts piled up like that.”

Rimer nodded as if he finally understood.

“It was certainly remarkable this time.”

Rimer nodded, acknowledging that he had no choice but to agree.

“I didn’t know you could dismantle the Sipjong Geomgyeol so meticulously to create a martial art of such perfect compatibility.”
“Ahem! That’s not it—I simply wanted to examine a martial arts manual after such a long time.”

Glen’s lips trembled with satisfaction, pleased that Roen, Sheryl, and Rimer had praised Raon.

“Still, if you’re going to give him something, it should be a martial art suited to Raon.”
“Exactly! That boy will create the finest martial art from anything he receives, but the better the material, the superior the result!”

He tilted his head slightly and nodded his chin. His lips seemed to stretch from his mouth to his ears.

“Truly my disciple!”

Rimer raised his fist triumphantly while looking at Glen.

“Hmm!”

Glen looked down at Rimer and hardened his expression.

“Your words are mistaken. Before being your disciple, he is my grandson.”

He shook his head, telling him to stop spouting nonsense.

“You couldn’t even call him grandson in front of others, and yet—”

Rimer chuckled, asking what kind of grandfather acts that way.

“Tch…”

Glen clenched the armrest of the Jade Throne and bit his lip. Though struck at a vital point, he couldn’t strike down lightning as he normally would.

“Furthermore…”

Rimer shook his head while looking at the martial arts manual Glen had prepared.

“Shouldn’t you give him the martial art you’ve chosen only after Raon has accomplished something?”

Glen doesn’t simply give gifts to Raon. Since he only gives something when accomplishments are made, providing that martial arts manual would come much later.

“But this master has no need for such things! If I want to give, I give. If I don’t, I don’t. It’s all up to my whims!”

Rimer drew a sly grin and shrugged his shoulders.

“Wouldn’t that make me much closer to you than to a grandfather I can’t even call by name?”
“You… you bastard….”

Glen glared at Rimer, his fists trembling with barely contained rage.

“Hmm….”
“Hehehehe.”

Sheryl and Roen, who would normally have stopped Rimer, remained silent today.

“Well then, I’ll go give Raon a gift!”

Rimer waved cheerfully and slipped out of the Patriarch’s Hall.

Crunch, crunch, crunch!

The armrest of the Jade Throne where Glen had rested his fist crumbled to dust. His eyes flashed a bloodshot crimson.

“This wretch….”

I’ll show him what a grandfather truly is!

*

*

*

After entrusting the cat to Dorian, Raon headed toward the 5th Training Ground.
He adjusted his sword as he observed the swordsmen focused on their training.

‘How should I approach the martial arts for the Gwangpung Corps?’

The Hwigwangryu had been created for Sylvia and her handmaidens, so it didn’t suit the Gwangpung Corps.
I needed to create a new martial art that could draw out the swordsmen’s full potential.

‘First, it needs to have practical application like Hwigwangryu, and I’d prefer a balance of offense and defense—roughly six parts attack, four parts defense. I should also consider harmony with the Gwangpung Formation.’

There were many conditions, but none of them posed a significant problem.

However, I couldn’t find the inspiration to establish the core pillar of my martial art.

I brushed back my wind-tousled hair and exhaled a short sigh.

‘I wish this could contribute to my own cultivation as well.’

Though I had achieved considerable growth from my visit to the Sword Master’s Tomb, my raw power hadn’t increased significantly.
With the duel drawing near, I needed to focus on my own advancement as well.

‘So what should I do?’

As I pondered this, a refreshing breeze descended from behind.

“What are you up to?”

Rimer laughed, sweeping back his darkened hair. He looked radiant—clearly he’d won quite a bit in this gambling venture. It was remarkable how money transformed him; with it, he exuded nobility, without it, he looked like a beggar.
A fascinating person indeed.

“I was thinking about creating a martial art for the Gwangpung Corps.”
“A martial art for the Gwangpung Corps?”
“Yes. But no matter how much I think about it, inspiration just won’t come.”

I explained to Rimer the concerns I’d been wrestling with moments before.

“Hmm, your own growth and a martial art for the Gwangpung Corps, huh…”

Rimer touched his smooth chin and lifted his gaze.

“You obtained the earth attribute this time and now possess all four elemental affinities, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then it’s time to cultivate the wind.”

A crystalline wind swept across his eyes.

“Have you ever heard the song of the wind?”

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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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