The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 682
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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 682
-The first Head of House?
“That’s right.”
I smiled as I ran my fingers across the golden portion of the sword.
“This sword was an artifact that hung from the sword belt of the first Head of House.”
-Cough! Even if you call him the first Head of House, he’d be weaker than that old codger Kellock, wouldn’t he?
“I don’t think so.”
I shook my head gently.
“I don’t know if he’s stronger or not, but he definitely wouldn’t be at a disadvantage.”
I could tell because I had seen the first Head of House directly. His martial prowess exceeded what I could comprehend.
Moreover, the first Head of House in my memories was young. Since he wasn’t in his prime, the martial power he would possess later was certainly higher than what I had witnessed.
‘Setting everything else aside…’
He was the master of the Ring of Fire and Manhwagong.
If he had perfected those two martial arts, he would be on equal footing with Glen, not inferior in any way.
“You might not be able to beat him either.”
-W-what nonsense are you spouting! There is no human in this world who can defeat the True Demon King! Cough! Cough!
Wrath shook his head even as he coughed repeatedly.
“You’ve grown weak. You keep coughing. Could you beat the Head of House right now?”
-I…
Wrath couldn’t answer immediately, and his lips trembled faintly.
-That is…
In the past, I could have said that tens of thousands of combined forces would be enough to win, but now I couldn’t say that with certainty.
“Really? Is that true?”
-Well, the True Demon King has grown weaker, but that old geezer has also grown stronger!
Wrath furrowed his brow, saying that Glen Zigheart had grown stronger just as he himself had grown weaker. His inability to lie remained unchanged.
“The Head of House has grown stronger?”
-Indeed. That old geezer must have experienced some emotional shift, for his martial achievement rises subtly each time we meet.
“Can one really grow stronger from mere emotional changes?”
It was strange that martial achievement could increase from emotional fluctuations, not even during combat.
-You will understand when you touch transcendence. Then factors other than physical growth become far more important.
Wrath waved his hand dismissively, saying I was still too young to know.
“Growing even stronger…”
Hearing that Glen Zigheart, who could rightfully be called the strongest on the Continent, was still growing stronger, I couldn’t imagine where his limits lay.
-Well, even if he’s grown stronger, fully manifesting that power is another matter entirely. In any case, the True Demon King will never lose to anyone, no matter who they are! Kekrok!
Wrath corrected himself, saying he wouldn’t lose rather than that he would win, and shook his head.
“Right. A Demon Lord must never lose to a human.”
I smiled faintly and lightly tapped Wrath’s head.
-No, that wasn’t what I wanted to talk about in the first place! What is this artifact anyway!
Wrath cried out that the conversation had only grown longer, and wrinkled the bridge of his nose.
“I already told you. It’s something that hung from the First Head of House’s sword.”
This water room was an artifact that always hung on the sword belt of the first Head of House, and its name was also inscribed in the records of Manhwagong.
“The Golden Flute Bell.”
-What a terrible name. It’s definitely not a good item.
Wrath clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“The Phoenix ring you used in the Sword Master’s Tomb was also the previous Head of House’s possession, wasn’t it?”
-Huh…?
He had already been amazed by the Phoenix ring’s abilities, so his jaw dropped as he looked at the artifact.
-Then, what exactly is that artifact’s ability!
“It’s something that makes a sword more… sword-like.”
-More sword-like?
“The Ring of Fire and Manhwagong will need to grow a bit more, but…”
I laughed as I hung the artifact from the crossguard of the Heavenly Sword.
“If the seal on the Golden Crimson Bell is released, it should be quite interesting.”
*
*
*
Robert Family Training Ground.
Lepon Robert lifted his arms, beads of sweat rolling down his face. The blade gripped in his hand became a pure white streak of light, cutting through the evening air.
His swordwork, both precise and fluid, bore the unmistakable mark of the Robert Family’s sword technique.
However, unlike the other swordsmen in the Training Ground, Lepon repeated only the four fundamental sword techniques.
As the sun descended and the swordsmen began lowering their blades one by one, the Training Ground door opened and Derus Robert entered.
“Hah!”
“F-Father…”
The swordsmen in the Training Ground startled and began to bow, but Derus raised a finger to his lips, signaling them to remain silent.
He walked soundlessly and watched his youngest son’s training from directly behind him.
“Huff…”
Lepon only lowered his sword-wielding hand when the sun had completely set and the lights came on.
He turned around and spotted Derus Robert, his eyes widening.
“Oh, Father?”
“You’re working hard.”
Derus Robert raised his hand and wiped away the sweat dripping from Lepon’s forehead.
“Why are you here…?”
“I heard your kiai echoing, so I came to check. I thought the Training Ground was about to collapse from how loud you were.”
Despite his teasing words, his eyes gleamed with approval.
“Young Master is probably the most diligent one in our Training Ground.”
“Yes. He comes out from dawn and doesn’t rest even for a moment until night.”
“Just watching him is exhausting.”
The Sword Inspection Unit inspectors temporarily under Lepon’s command nodded with smiles.
“Don’t praise him too much. He’ll develop bad habits.”
Derus Robert waved his hand lightly and looked at Lepon.
“But Lepon.”
“Yes?”
“Why do you only repeat basic sword techniques? The Sword Inspection Unit Master should have taught you new techniques.”
“Of course it’s because of Raon!”
Lepon cried out as if questioning why his father would even ask.
“Raon hasn’t skipped a single day of basic sword training since he first held a sword! That foundation is what created the Dragon Slayer he is now!”
He clenched his fists tightly, saying he wanted to reach the same level as Raon by focusing on basic sword techniques.
“The fact that he defeated the Demon Race alone in the Sufer Kingdom was also built on the foundation of basic sword techniques! And besides…”
Lepon elaborated at length about Raon’s deeds as if he had been in the Sufer Kingdom himself, his sparkling eyes brimming with admiration for Raon.
“There’s no point in trying to stop him on that matter.”
Varian, the leader of the Sword Inspection Unit, shook his head with an exasperated expression.
“If Raon Zigheart said he was abandoning his sword to wield an axe, I’d pick up an axe starting tomorrow.”
“Raon Zigheart!”
Lepon waved his hand, insisting that Varian add an honorific to Raon’s name.
“Right. Raon Zigheart!”
Varian sighed, adding the honorific.
“No matter what anyone says, I’m going to focus on fundamental swordsmanship. Your extraordinary strength must surely be hidden in the basics. You overwhelmed everyone during the Six Emperors sparring match using nothing but fundamentals.”
“That’s certainly true. Do as you wish.”
Derus smiled warmly, trusting Lepon’s words.
“However, even the Gwangpung Corps leader didn’t train without eating.”
He raised his finger, pointing at the darkening sky.
“Hmm….”
Lepon’s shoulders twitched.
“You’re making the other unit members wait as well, aren’t you?”
Derus lowered his brows as he glanced around at the swordsmen watching Lepon.
“The Gwangpung Corps leader is renowned for his consideration, but you can’t match that.”
“Ah! I’m s-sorry!”
Lepon bowed deeply to the Sword Inspection Unit swordsmen.
“It’s fine.”
“We need to look after our youngest.”
“If we go late, there’s more food left anyway, so it’s actually better.”
The Sword Inspection Unit swordsmen chuckled and patted Lepon’s back.
“I-I’ll go ahead and prepare everything!”
Lepon cried out another apology before rushing toward the Dining Hall. The Sword Inspection Unit inspectors followed with amused smiles, finding him endearing.
“Isn’t it a pleasant sight?”
Varian, the head of the Sword Inspection Unit, watched Lepon and the inspectors’ retreating figures with a gentle smile.
“He possesses both virtue and unwavering resolve. The young master will make an excellent inspector.”
“Will he? Can he truly become an inspector?”
Derus Robert’s lips curved upward like a serpent’s tail.
“Lepon aside—how are things progressing with the Zigheart side?”
He wiped his hand with a handkerchief—the hand that had dried Lepon’s sweat—and gestured with his chin.
“It’s absurd, but the rumors appear to be true.”
Varian’s pupils darkened. The benevolent inspector who had been praising Lepon moments ago no longer existed.
“More than one or two people have witnessed Raon Zigheart single-handedly capturing an intermediate-level Demon Race. And it wasn’t merely defeated—he overwhelmed it, they say.”
He narrowed his eyes as he continued.
“Glen Zigheart opening a report to the Gwangpung Corps is proof of that. It means Raon’s achievement was significant enough for that monster to acknowledge.”
“Hmm….”
Derus stroked his chin as he listened to Varian’s words.
“It seems Glen Zigheart holds Raon in quite high regard?”
“Who wouldn’t favor a genius who reached Grand Master in his early twenties, even if he is from a branch family?”
Varian nodded as though it were obvious.
“His talent must have bridged the emotional rift created by Sylvia Zigheart.”
“No, that’s not what I mean. Beyond his talent, it seems Glen cherishes Raon as a person.”
“Yet there are many rumors that he was once discriminated against.”
“Which is precisely why it’s suspicious. Glen couldn’t possibly overlook Raon’s talent.”
A chilling aura that could suppress even moonlight rippled across Derus Robert’s eyes.
“This might be something we can use to our advantage….”
“Are you thinking of eliminating Raon Zigheart?”
“Why would I?”
He shrugged lightly.
“There are plenty of people willing to kill that bastard. We need to see the forest, not just the tree.”
Derus Robert stroked the back of his hand and turned his gaze to the right.
“Of course….”
He drew a serene smile as he watched Kubara emerge from the darkness of the Training Ground.
“But it’s only possible if she participates in the plan.”
“Head of House.”
Kubara prostrated herself before Derus Robert and lowered her head.
“We’ve received word that they’re willing to accept. However….”
“However?”
“They want to meet in person before proceeding with the matter.”
“A true woman of prowess indeed. The most capable among the fools.”
Derus Robert nodded calmly.
“Tell them to set the date and location.”
“Understood.”
Kubara vanished back into the darkness immediately after her response.
“It’s almost time.”
Varian rubbed his hands together eagerly.
“Yes.”
Derus Robert slowly lifted his gaze to the starlit night sky, capturing the largest star in his pupils as his lips twisted into a smile.
“It’s time for a star to fall. Or perhaps two.”
*
*
*
“Your pace is sluggish.”
At my gesture, the Gwangpung Corps maintained the Grand Gwangpung Formation and sprinted toward the right side of the Training Ground.
“Channel the Gwangpung Style winds all the way to your fingertips!”
“Ugh….”
“Does that man never train? We have less than three months until the life-or-death battle!”
“Right, we don’t even have missions anymore, so why is he dragging us into this….”
The Gwangpung Corps drenched their training garments in sweat as they sprinted back and forth across the Training Ground in accordance with my instructions.
“If you have breath left to gossip, you’re not pushing hard enough.”
I descended from the Platform and blocked the path of the Gwangpung Corps. I drove the scabbard of the Heavenly Sword down upon the center of the Gwangpung Formation.
Boom!
The Gwangpung Formation, which had held firm even before the Demon Race, shattered in an instant, and the swordsmen were sent flying in all directions.
“You focused only on speed and lost the flow of the formation entirely. How did you manage to defeat the Demon Race if you can’t even withstand this?”
I clicked my tongue, speaking as though disappointed.
“That’s… unreasonable….”
“How are we supposed to block the Squad Leader’s… blade!”
“I’m exhausted….”
Burren Zigheart, Martha, and Lunan Slion struggled to their feet, shaking their heads.
“You were jumping around happily just because you caught one demon.”
I looked down at the Gwangpung Corps with a frown.
“You got wounded catching just a low-rank one? That’s not the Gwangpung Style I taught you.”
“Ugh…”
“I knew you’d be like this. So much for praise.”
“But even if it’s just a low-rank demon, it’s still a demon! How are we supposed to catch it without getting wounded!”
The Gwangpung Corps pouted, feeling wronged at being scolded despite capturing a demon.
“You made a good point.”
I drew the Heavenly Sword with a cold smile.
“From now on, I’ll teach you how to capture demons without getting wounded. Make sure you learn it properly.”
I beckoned with my finger toward Crain, who was sitting to the right.
“Crain, come forward.”
“But I didn’t say anything?”
“I just feel like starting with you.”
“This is too much!”
Just as Crain stepped forward with a miserable expression.
The Training Ground door opened, and a beautiful girl with purple hair, wearing a nun’s habit that had been altered to her liking, entered. It was Saint Olga.
“Saint Olga?”
I widened my eyes seeing her.
“Huh?”
“Why is the Saint here…?”
The Gwangpung Corps swordsmen also opened their mouths in surprise.
“I have something to give you.”
Olga gestured to Raon, signaling that she had something to discuss.
“Continue your personal training.”
Raon nodded and led Olga to the Squad Leader’s Office.
“Phew, we’re saved. She really is a Saint….”
Crain clasped his hands together, vowing to believe in the divine from now on.
*
*
*
“You have something to give me?”
I handed Olga a cup of green tea and asked.
“I would have given it to you when we were at the Kingdom. Why did you come all the way here….”
“Didn’t I tell you I’d come find you?”
Olga furrowed her brows deeply.
“When?”
“Didn’t you see me nod at the City Gate?”
“Wasn’t that you telling me to wait while Count Hofen and the knights greeted us?”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“Ah….”
I exhaled in defeat. I had thought Olga’s gesture meant I should watch the King and knights’ greetings, but apparently that wasn’t it at all.
“Your perception is absolutely terrible.”
“Your rotten personality is still the same.”
I snorted without backing down.
“So what are you giving me?”
“An apology.”
Saint Olga took a measured breath and knelt as if in prayer to the divine.
“Thanks to your goodwill, I was able to save many lives. I am truly grateful.”
She spoke her thanks while recalling the conversation about the Demon Race that we had shared the night before the Holy Assembly.
“That’s only because you believed my words.”
I grasped Saint Olga’s shoulders and helped her to her feet.
What I had told her then was that the King had joined hands with the Demon Race—a claim so absurd that only a madman would accept it.
Yet Saint Olga believed me, forgoing sleep to prepare multiple countermeasures.
Without her swift action, the casualties in Sufer would have been more than double.
“You stubborn fool! Just accept my gratitude!”
Saint Olga furrowed her brow, insisting I simply receive her thanks without deflecting praise.
“You curse while saying thanks. What kind of temperament is that….”
I shook my head in exasperation.
“This is how I apologize. And….”
Saint Olga withdrew a palm-sized transparent vial from her bosom. Within it, a pale golden liquid shimmered with an ethereal radiance despite the absence of external light.
“This is….”
“An elixir crafted from holy water. We call it Holy Flame.”
“Holy Flame?”
“Only three remain in all of Sufer—treasures of immeasurable worth.”
She held out the vial as she spoke of its preciousness.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Don’t worry. I created this one myself.”
Saint Olga shook her head, saying it was an elixir she had made herself.
“Then it would be better to use it for rebuilding the kingdom.”
“I need to give you this to put my mind at ease. I felt guilty for not being able to help you with anything, and I wanted to finish it before you left, but it took some time.”
“Hmm….”
I didn’t immediately accept the elixir, instead meeting Saint Olga’s gaze. Her eyes held not a shred of hesitation. Accepting it seemed like the right thing to do for her.
“…Thank you.”
I offered my gratitude and received the elixir with both hands.
“Then….”
Saint Olga rose immediately, as if she had come solely to deliver the elixir.
“Wait.”
I caught sight of her arm as she turned to leave, and my eyes narrowed.
“You did it again….”
“It was the last one.”
Saint Olga smiled as she gently touched her own arm.
“And I don’t plan to die anymore, so don’t worry.”
She shook her head, saying she would no longer drain her lifespan.
“I wanted to defy the lifespan heaven granted me because there’s something I want to see.”
“Something you want to see?”
“Yes. I can’t die before seeing how well our king and that ugly elf’s king grow.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You’ll understand later.”
Saint Olga let out a light laugh and left the office.
I watched her departing figure and bit my lip thinly.
‘How unfortunate.’
Saint Olga’s lifespan was not something that could be endured through willpower alone. Death would come for her inevitably, whether she wished it or not.
Saint Olga had grown upright and true despite knowing her own lifespan was short.
I wanted to help her, remembering my past self when my lifespan was held in Derus Robert’s grasp, but there was simply no way.
-There is a way, though.
Wrath shrugged as if it were nothing.
‘There’s a way?’
-But it’s not something you can do now. It borders on defying fate itself.
Wrath shook his head, saying I would need to reach at least Transcendence.
‘Transcendence, then….’
I savored the word as it rolled across my tongue.
‘Another reason to ascend to Transcendence has emerged.’
*
*
*
After concentrating on the Gwangpung Corps’ training for a week, I entered the Cultivation Chamber.
‘Now I truly must prepare.’
There was not much time left before my final confrontation with the Demon King.
I had already assigned tasks to everyone in the Gwangpung Corps, so now was the time to focus solely on the life-or-death battle with the Demon King.
-First, shouldn’t you recover? Kehehe!
‘Right.’
As Wrath said, I had to first recover from the aftermath of the Demon King’s descent.
Fortunately, thanks to the Saint bringing the holy relic, the physical aspects seemed like they could be resolved quickly.
-The Mental World will be the problem.
‘It’s going to take quite some time.’
I nodded. Even though not as much had been lost as before, filling in the damage itself was no simple task.
‘Of course, I didn’t come here just to restore the Mental World….’
-Hmm?
Wrath narrowed his eyes as if asking what I meant.
“While restoring the damaged Mental World….”
I met Wrath’s azure eyes, which seemed to have flowers engraved upon them, and smiled.
“I’m going to create a new Sword Realm.”
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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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