The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 666

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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 666

I turned my gaze toward the location where I had sensed the demonic energy. The Central Avenue came into view—the busiest thoroughfare where the most people and carriages moved about.

‘It vanished.’

In that brief moment as my eyes shifted, the demonic energy disappeared as if it had never existed in the first place.

Thump!

I pushed off the pristine white ground with my left foot, moving toward the Central Avenue where the demonic energy had stirred, and unfurled my aura sense.

‘Where is it?’

My aura sense, riding the winds of the Gwangpung Style, extended outward in all directions, yet I detected no trace of the demonic energy anywhere. It had vanished without a trace.

I attempted to spot the entity that had escaped my sight with my eyes as well, but no one was behaving suspiciously.

“What… what is this?”
“Who is that person?”
“Zigheart?”
“Wasn’t he with the prince just a moment ago…?”

Instead, all eyes had turned toward me as I appeared, bursting forth from the ground.

“M-Master. What is the matter?”

Burren approached with a tense expression, placing his hand on his sword hilt.

“Has an enemy appeared?”
“An enemy? Where would an enemy be here?”

Martha furrowed her brow, dismissing the notion as absurd.

“It’s not an enemy.”

Lunan Slion shook his head calmly.

“The Organization Master just really wanted to eat ice cream quickly.”

She smacked her lips, saying she felt the same way.

“…That’s not it.”

I shook my head and studied the eyes of the three unit leaders. None of them seemed to sense anything amiss.

‘Then….’

I glanced at Rimer just in case. But he was also blinking blankly, as if asking what I was doing.

‘Even the Deputy Master didn’t notice.’

Rimer possessed keener senses than warriors of the same realm due to his race as an Elf. The fact that even he couldn’t sense the demonic energy suggested that I was the unusual one.

No, setting everything aside—this was the Shuper Holy Kingdom. It was extraordinarily strange that only I could sense demonic energy in a place where priests and clergy were as common as dirt.

‘The reason for that is obviously….’

Wrath.

Wrath was the King of the Demon Realm. Having spent nearly my entire life alongside such a being, I might have become sensitive to demonic energy.

‘Now that I think about it….’

I recalled that Wrath had suddenly reacted strangely when we were observing the Shuper Holy Kingdom from outside earlier.
This cotton candy had clearly known everything from the start.

‘You knew all along, didn’t you?’
-What are you talking about?

Wrath turned his head slightly, playing innocent.

‘That there’s someone with demonic energy inside this kingdom.’
-The True Demon King rules over demonic energy as a Demon Lord. How could I not know?

He readily admitted it and nodded his head.

‘Who is it?’
-Why would the True Demon King explain himself to you?

Wrath shook his head with a cold gaze.

‘What?’
-You seem to have forgotten, but I am the King of the Demon Realm and the Lord of Wrath. Even if you are not my subordinate, I would never betray my own kind.

He twisted his lips, telling me not to think of him as human.

‘Hmm….’

Wrath was right. This was different from the Flame Demon Army’s usual operations. Wrath was the King of the Demon Realm. It would be absurd for him to betray his own kind.

I considered threatening him with Pearl Ice Cream, but I couldn’t bring it up since I’d promised to provide him with whatever food he wanted for a while.
Besides, cornering him with food would make me appear too despicable.

‘Where then?’

Currently, there were only two organizations capable of using demonic energy.

The first was the Black Tower, which had connections to the Demon Realm, and the second was the Demon Shadow Society, which worshipped the Demon Race. I wasn’t sure which one it was.

However, the demonic energy I felt earlier seemed to have a slightly higher purity than that of the Black Tower’s demons.

-Well, if I must tell you one thing….

Wrath seemed to think I was being too cold as well, and he moved his lips again.

-As you saw when you entered, holy power swirls around this kingdom’s castle walls. Weak demons cannot enter, and strong ones could break through, but a war would have erupted.
‘What does that have to do with anything?’
-Your head is empty. The fact that there are no traces on those walls means the demons didn’t force their way in….
‘They had help from humans?’

I grasped the meaning behind Wrath’s words and answered first.

-Precisely. It means the Demon Race and humans made a contract through mutual agreement.

Wrath nodded as if confirming my words.

—Unless one is a True Demon King, the Demon Race cannot force a contract upon someone. They require the consent of both parties. In other words, the master of the demonic energy you sensed must have willingly accepted the Demon Race.

Wrath wagged his finger, cautioning me not to carelessly ruin the contract between human and demon.

‘The Castle Wall… and consent.’

As I turned Wrath’s words over in my mind, a faint answer began to take shape—something small but significant.

“R-Raon, sir. Is something troubling you…?”

Hofen approached as I gathered my thoughts, his fingertips trembling with concern.

“I thought I saw someone I knew.”

I offered Hofen a faint smile.

“Then shall we have our people search for—”
“No, I was mistaken.”

I waved my hand, dismissing the notion that it had been someone else.

“My apologies.”

I bowed my head slightly in contrition.

“Not at all, it’s quite alright!”

Hofen waved his hand and resumed guiding me through the Holy Kingdom.

‘Wrath.’

As I followed Hofen up the Central Avenue, my gaze turned inward toward Wrath.

‘If the contract with the Demon Race is truly for personal advancement, as you say, then I have no intention of interfering.’

I myself stood in a contractual relationship with Wrath, a Demon Lord, so I could hardly apply a double standard.

‘But if that creature’s wish brings harm to others, I will stop it no matter what.’

I believed that was what I should do as a human raising a Demon Lord.

-R-raising? You just used the word “raising” to refer to the True Demon King? If you don’t take back those words, I will never forgive you….
“That is the newly opened Pearl Ice Cream Shop. It would be best to visit after finishing the Audience Chamber.”

Just as Wrath was about to explode in fury, Hofen pointed to a two-story building on the right.
The signboard was bright and ornate, the interior was immaculate, and the freezer storing ice cream appeared to be three times larger than the one at the Zigheart location.

-Kyafu!

Wrath let out a shrill cry, seemingly forgetting what he had been saying moments before.

-Why not go now instead of later? The True Demon King is unaware of so many flavors!
‘….’

I shook my head as I watched Wrath clinging to the Pearl Ice Cream Shop window like a piece of gum.

‘I really am raising him, aren’t I….’

*

*

*

A dark space where not a trace of the sacred sunlight could penetrate.

A man sat before a faded, worn desk with his hands clasped together and his eyes closed. Whether he was praying, his lips moved ceaselessly in a solemn rhythm.

Uuuuuung.

As the man finished his prayer and lowered his clasped hands, a murky shadow like filthy water surged from beneath the desk and transformed into the shape of a person—a young man with striking black hair.

“I told you not to show that form during the day.”

The man who had finished praying furrowed his brow slightly.

“My apologies. It was urgent….”

The black-haired young man brought both hands together before his chest—the salute of a priest.

“An urgent matter?”
“Yes. The Fourth Prince has returned, and he brought companions with him.”
“It seems those companions are the problem.”

The man seated at the desk nodded calmly.

“Raon Zigheart. A monster bearing the epithet ‘Dragon Slayer’ has arrived with the Gwangpung Corps.”

The black-haired young man lifted his gaze as he spoke Raon’s name.

“For what reason?”

The man seated at the desk showed no disturbance upon hearing the name Raon. Yet the darkness that gathered in his pupils churned violently.

“I’m not entirely certain, but it appears the Fourth Prince’s life was saved by him on Dibarn Mountain. The Monster King born there seems to have been far stronger than anticipated.”

The young man recited exactly what Hofen had told the others.

“…I see.”

The man nodded indifferently even upon hearing that the Fourth Prince had barely survived.

“The Gwangpung Corps contains not only Raon Zigheart, but also Rimer the Sword Saint. The unit leaders have likewise reached the Master realm. With less than a week until the Grand Ritual, if the Gwangpung Corps remains here, complications may arise.”

The black-haired young man furrowed his brow deeply with concern.

“Raon Zigheart and the Gwangpung Corps….”

The man tapped his blunt fingers against the desk. A gradually eerie sound began to emanate from its surface.

“This is fortunate instead.”

He gathered the hand that had been tapping the desk.

“I shall take Raon Zigheart and the Gwangpung Corps as sacrifices as well.”
“Pardon?”

The young man’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“B-but still….”
“They won’t be able to use their full power inside the barrier anyway.”
“That’s not the issue! If the Gwangpung Corps goes silent, Zigheart might make a move.”
“It’s fine.”

The man turned away. He gazed at the black flames burning against the darkened wall and licked his lips.

“That won’t happen.”

*

*

*

I sat on the edge of the bed in the dormitory that Hofen had provided, running my fingers over the calluses on my hands.

‘There’s no way to know the answer without putting it to the test.’

Thanks to Wrath’s hint, I had grasped something of the pattern, but I needed concrete evidence to be certain.

-What do you mean an answer will come out!

Wrath shook his head, telling me to stop spouting nonsense.

-Enough of that. Let’s go get ice cream! You’re not going to say you won’t buy it now, are you?

He trembled with anxiety, his eyes darting as he licked his lips.

‘I’m not petty enough for that.’
-Then right now….
‘First, I need to pay my respects to the master of this place.’
-Since the True Demon King has set foot upon this land, the True Demon King is the master of this land!

Wrath flicked his fingers, saying I should just greet him instead.

‘….’

Raon shook his head dismissively, too lazy to bother with words.

-Humans are so tedious about these things! Bowing to the king, bowing to nobles. Is this the Holy Kingdom or something? Shouldn’t we visit the Pope as well!
‘There’s no need for that.’

I shook my head slowly.

‘Shuper practices theocratic monarchy. The king serves as the High Priest.’

The Shuper Holy Kingdom had no Pope. I’d heard that the king doubled as the High Priest, offering prayers to the divine.

-Oh, that’s rather convenient.

Wrath nodded, acknowledging that humans at least understood practicality.

Knock, knock.

As I stifled a laugh, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened carefully, and Hofen entered, bowing his head.

“The Audience Chamber permission has been granted. Shall we depart?”
“Understood.”

I donned the black dragon robe once more and left the Dormitory. The Gwangpung Corps was already waiting outside.

“What kind of person is the king of the Holy Kingdom?”

Martha’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as she licked her lips.

“I’ve heard he’s an exceptionally benevolent man.”

Burren’s eyes shone with anticipation as he mentioned that the king was known for his virtue.

“That’s right. Benevolent.”

Lunan nodded in agreement.

“Huh?”
“You know the King of the Shuper Holy Kingdom?”
“You do?”

The entire Gwangpung Corps turned to look at Lunan Slion, their eyes widening.

“I don’t.”

Lunan Slion shook her head without the slightest hesitation.

“Then why did you say he was benevolent?”
“Because the Pearl Ice Cream Shop is big.”

She lifted her fierce eyes confidently.

“Good grief….”
“Well, that makes sense.”

The Gwangpung Corps sighed, saying they were needlessly startled.

-That’s exactly right! How dare those fools mock our ice cream girl!

Wrath waved his hands frantically, agreeing with Lunan Slion’s reasoning.

“Stop spouting nonsense.”

I stepped forward in front of the Gwangpung Corps and furrowed my brow.

“Make sure you show proper courtesy when you meet His Majesty.”
“Don’t worry…”
“Who do you think we are!”

Martha and Crain raised their fists.

‘You two are exactly what I’m worried about.’

I sighed inwardly and looked toward Hofen.

“Let’s go.”
“Understood.”

Hofen smiled faintly and headed toward the Royal Castle.

Beneath a spire that pierced the sky stood an enormous temple in a diamond shape.
That building, which stood out distinctly even from the outside, was the Royal Castle. Its bright gray walls gave it an even more sacred appearance.

Perhaps because word had been sent ahead, the main gate of the Royal Castle stood open, and the Holy Knights guarding it bowed their heads quietly.

Raon nodded back to the Holy Knights and entered the interior of the Royal Castle.
Unlike the exterior, the interior was bathed in warm white light, and gilding adorned the walls, giving it a luxurious feel.

“Your Highness!”

As Hofen walked toward the Audience Chamber along a carpet suffused with blue light, an elderly priest wearing a golden scarf approached him.

“How fortunate that you’ve returned safely.”

The elderly priest spoke of divine grace and bowed his head.

“Ah, High Priest Pirn!”

Hofen grinned and returned the greeting to the elderly priest.

“It was thanks to these people that I could return safely.”
“These people are….”
“Those I met during this mission….”

He now explained the events that had occurred on the mountain in a concise manner, as if it had become routine.

“My! Such a thing occurred!”

High Priest Pirn clasped his hands together in gratitude toward the Gwangpung Corps.

“Thank you for saving His Highness!”
“No, that’s not it….”

Raon turned to look at Hofen and blinked.

“A prince, you say….”
“Ah, you hadn’t mentioned it?”

Pirn the High Priest blinked at Hofen.

“This gentleman is the Fourth Prince of our Shuper Holy Kingdom.”
“Fourth Prince?”

I stared at Hofen with my mouth agape.

“H-Hofen was a prince?”
“I had no idea….”
“No way. What kind of prince is so humble!”
“I thought he was self-made!”

The Gwangpung Corps, having conversed with Hofen themselves, seemed equally taken aback, their expressions deflating.

“I apologize. I wasn’t trying to deceive you. As I mentioned earlier, status isn’t particularly important to us.”

Hofen scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

“Hmm….”

I nodded, regarding Hofen thoughtfully.

‘That’s certainly true.’

Whether I’d met Hofen in Barene or on the mountain, he was always the same—living solely as a Holy Knight, without a shred of princely bearing.
He adhered to the doctrine more faithfully than anyone else.

‘So that’s why the audience was granted so readily.’

Without having mentioned it beforehand, the immediate approval of the audience seemed to owe entirely to Hofen’s status.

“Ah, this old man has kept you far too long. Shall we proceed?”

Pirn the High Priest, noting that he too had been invited to the Audience Chamber, stepped forward first.

Hofen and I nodded, following Pirn the High Priest toward the Audience Chamber.

“Now that you know I’m a prince, there’s something I should tell you….”

Hofen lowered his gaze slightly as he looked at me.

“The knight Baiton whom I met in Barene is my older brother.”
“Ah….”

I turned to look at Hofen and nodded. I had no idea he was a prince, nor that he and Hofen were brothers. I thought I was doing well not relying on my family’s prestige, but he was operating on another level entirely.

‘What a peculiar family.’

As I walked while exhaling softly, I found myself standing before the Audience Chamber.

When Pirn the High Priest bowed before the Audience Chamber, the castle guards stepped aside. The white doors opened silently, bathed in warm light.

Goooooooo!

The elegant forms of divine beings carved into the windows poured down, carrying the sunlight with them. It was a sacred space where a god descending at any moment would seem unremarkable.

Before pillars without a speck of dust, high priests stood with their hands clasped together.
Curiously, about half of them were young men and women, and just as their distinctive appearances suggested, their temperaments were all different.
Yet without exception, they all radiated enormous divine power. It felt like gazing upon the sea.

“I shall take my place as well.”

Pirn the High Priest turned around, bowed, and stood at the innermost position with his hands clasped.

Opposite him stood an elderly knight clad in silver armor, and unlike the others, a thick fragrance of aura emanated—both formidable and noble. He was a knight who had reached Grand Master rank.

Right beside him stood a golden-haired young knight, his back against a pillar, his posture rigidly upright. A Holy Knight with divine power even greater than Hofen’s.

Finally, I gazed upon the man standing on a very low platform at the center.

Like Hofen, he was a middle-aged man with pale blue hair, yet his eyes held a gentle, sorrowful gaze as if tears might fall at any moment.
This man appeared to be Baurn, the king of the Shuper Holy Kingdom.

Thud.

I activated the Ring of Fire and stepped upon the blue carpet laid across the Audience Chamber. My soul’s dignity surged forth, and my quiet, measured steps carried an overwhelming majesty.

The moment the Shuper Holy Kingdom’s king, the royal guards, and the High Priest’s eyes all converged upon me, I unleashed my wrath. The emotion of a Demon Lord—fundamentally different from demonic energy—twisted the sanctity that filled the Audience Chamber.

Boom!

In that instant, responding to my wrath, an extraordinarily subtle wave rippled through the interior of the Audience Chamber. Though its location couldn’t be pinpointed, it was an instinctive wave of the Demon Race—distinct from demonic energy itself.

-What are you doing…?

Wrath’s eyes widened as if demanding to know what I was up to.

‘As expected.’

I stood at the center of the Audience Chamber, my lips curling upward.

‘The human contracted with the Demon Race is in here.’

Hidden within this chamber—filled with the king, high priests, royal guards, and the Holy Knights Order Commander—was a traitor who had made a pact with the Demon Race.

—————
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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