The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 731
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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 731
A dull thud.
I grasped Derus Robert’s hand without summoning any aura or momentum, merely shaking it up and down in the simple gesture of a handshake.
‘I cannot provoke him now.’
Derus Robert was more suspicious and cautious than anyone I knew.
The fact that he had extended his hand meant he had completed all his preparations.
‘I must wait.’
I bit the inside of my lip, suppressing the blade of death that threatened to pierce through my heart.
‘I’ll proceed according to plan.’
While Derus remained focused, revealing his identity was impossible.
I might instead fall into his trap and hand over information willingly.
Now was the time to suppress my rage and thirst for vengeance, to paint a false smile—just as Derus had toyed with me.
—Master, the atmosphere has grown quite sharp. It feels as though we’ve entered an ice castle.
Wrath murmured that the weather seemed to have turned cold, his shoulders trembling slightly.
“It is an honor to shake hands with Cheongeomseong.”
I offered a subtle smile, my thumb lightly tracing the back of his hand.
‘I cannot sense it properly.’
The thick black leather gloves Derus Robert wore prevented me from detecting any scars on the back of his hand. The man was infuriatingly cautious.
Anyway, he was a damn cautious guy.
Raon suppressed the urge to burn Derus Robert’s gloves as he finished their brief handshake.
“You’ll surely reach heights far beyond anything I could ever compare to in the future, Raon.”
Derus Robert offered hollow praise, his smile radiant as if suffused with light.
“Ah, that’s right.”
He clapped his hands lightly as if just remembering something.
“By the way, are you aware that your epithet has changed, Raon?”
“Yes.”
I lowered my gaze slightly and nodded.
“They call me the Usurper now. It’s a fitting epithet, though it still feels undeserved.”
At the word “undeserved,” Lepon Robert, standing behind Derus, flinched slightly.
“It’s not undeserved at all.”
Derus waved both hands with exaggerated expression.
“Didn’t you drag fallen kings down from the Jade Throne itself?”
He laughed, saying it was truly a fitting epithet.
“Actually, that epithet—the Usurper….”
Derus brought Lepon Robert forward from behind him.
“Our youngest here created it. He’s still a fan of yours, you know.”
He laughed, saying it was enough to make him jealous.
“Ah, hello.”
Lepon Robert hunched his shoulders shyly and bowed his head.
“Ah….”
Raon’s eyes widened as he received Lepon’s greeting.
‘Come to think of it, Chad mentioned that the epithet “Usurper” had come up from the South.’
When Chad had informed him of the new epithet, he’d mentioned it was one that had spread from the South—quite remarkably.
It truly seemed as though the boy standing before him had been the one to coin the epithet “Usurper.”
‘Lepon Robert….’
From those unblemished eyes bloomed an unmistakable kindness that could not be hidden.
A child he had never encountered in his previous life. Born after his death, and still untainted by Derus Robert’s influence, having only recently come of age this year.
‘Still, I cannot let my guard down.’
Derus Robert was a monster who brainwashed even his own biological son and fed him Rage Worms.
One must not grow careless simply because his eyes held goodness.
“I-I’m sorry.”
Lepon lowered his gaze to his own feet, his shoulders drooping.
“I shouldn’t have….”
His lips trembled as he apologized, believing Raon had misunderstood—that he regretted giving him such an unfavorable epithet.
“No, that’s not it.”
Raon grasped Lepon’s wavering shoulders and shook his head.
“I wasn’t saying I dislike the epithet ‘Usurper’—I meant that I’m not yet worthy of bearing such a name.”
He explained it clearly so the young boy wouldn’t be disappointed.
“Really? You mean it?”
Lepon’s face brightened with a smile as radiant as sunlight, and he lifted his gaze.
“Yes. I’m pleased with it. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful epithet.”
I nodded as I met Lepon’s gleaming eyes.
“Y-yes, I’m grateful!”
Lepon scratched the back of his head awkwardly, rolling his eyes.
“Um, Raon… I’m sorry, but…”
He pulled two thick books from his spatial pouch. I couldn’t help but recognize them—they were the biography of Raon Zigheart I’d seen just moments ago.
“Ugh…”
I let out a groan at the sight of my own name emblazoned across the cover.
‘Just how far has this spread?’
Ensia’s distribution capabilities had moved beyond admiration into the realm of absurdity.
“Lepon, the others are waiting for us in the conference hall. Perhaps it’s best we get your autograph later.”
Derus Robert patted Lepon’s head apologetically.
“Get moving!”
“Why are you young ones so slow! I’ll eat all the candy waiting here!”
Ogram and Chamber raised their voices from within the conference hall, urging us to hurry.
“Ah…”
“I’ll give you my autograph after the meeting, so don’t worry.”
I promised the flustered Lepon that I’d sign the books once we were done.
“Yes, sir!”
Lepon answered in a rigid stance, as if standing before his superior.
“And I must say, I quite like the epithet ‘Usurper.’ Soon I intend to drag a certain contemptible king down from that lofty Jade Throne…”
I met Derus Robert’s gaze—not Lepon’s—and curled my lips into a smile.
“If his crown were to fall to the ground, I believe I could accept the epithet Lepon bestowed upon me without hesitation.”
“How intriguing.”
Derus Robert’s lips twisted into a smirk, as if he understood that the ugly king in question was himself.
Raon and Derus Robert entered the Beast Alliance’s conference hall, each wearing a different smile.
*
*
*
“Then let us commence the Yukhwanghoe meeting.”
The Beast Alliance Master, who presided over the conference, bowed to those seated in the circular chamber.
“Before we address the first agenda item, I shall brief you on the circumstances and outcomes of this war.”
He picked up a document, stating that they should begin after reviewing the situation once more.
“The war commenced with a life-or-death duel between the Zigheart Gwangpung Corps Master and the Nambuk Alliance’s Demon King. When the Nambuk Alliance refused to accept the Demon King’s defeat and launched a surprise attack, the Blue Dragon Helmet Swordsman, commander of Shadow, appeared….”
The Beast Alliance Master explained all that had transpired and rolled up his sleeves.
“While the Six Emperors have sustained considerable losses, the destruction of the Nambuk Alliance is encouraging. The scales that had tipped toward Oma have been rebalanced.”
“Are there not other complications?”
King Lecross raised his hand, his brows furrowing.
“Indeed. Shadow has newly joined Oma, and the Dragon has become our adversary as well. It remains true that the Six Emperors face certain disadvantages. However….”
The Beast Alliance Master continued, his right hand clenched into a fist.
“Having clarity on who our enemies are is advantageous for us. We shall not be caught off guard by the Dragon as we were this time.”
He nodded, suggesting that the distinction between allies and enemies might itself be beneficial.
“….”
Derus Robert smiled faintly as he read the conference hall’s atmosphere, the tension rising with each passing moment.
‘As expected.’
They’re all targeting me.
A transcendent sense that surpassed even instinct whispered to him.
The monsters gathered in this conference hall were covertly scrutinizing him.
‘Specifically, my hands.’
The leaders of the Six Emperors were examining only his hands through sight, sound, and sensation.
They were clearly deliberating whether there was a wound on his hand, how he might have concealed it if no wound was visible, and how they could expose it.
The only ones in this conference hall actually focused on the proceedings were the fortunate neutral faction leaders observing as spectators.
‘Amusing.’
Derus Robert’s eyes moved as he felt the tension blooming like heat shimmer.
It was no different from a war where both sides laid bare their cards, and he couldn’t help but smile.
‘Especially that one.’
He glanced at Raon, whose gaze never left the Beast Alliance Master.
‘Though lacking in raw power, his perception and acting surpass even these old men of the Six Emperors.’
He remembered the teaching that the greatest opportunity is the greatest trap.
Offering Raon a handshake was naturally a trap. If he tried to examine the wound on my hand, I would extract information in return—a sharp snare laid to catch him in a mistake.
‘Of course, even he eventually grew impatient.’
During the handshake, Raon couldn’t hide his gaze directed at my hand, and he even resorted to the crude tactic of subtly checking my hand with his thumb.
‘Raon.’
Derus curled his lips slightly upward, his head bowed.
‘You remain unchanged, even in rebirth.’
In my previous life as an assassin, I never questioned any situation, which is why my head was severed. Reincarnation offered little improvement—nothing had truly changed.
I was hoping things would improve after being reincarnated, but nothing really changed.
“You can never win this fight.”
You won’t be able to expose my wounds.
It’s true that Raon carved an indelible scar on the back of his hand, but both times it was when he let his guard down.
‘And besides…’
Drawing forth the aura of death was utterly impossible.
The death aura was sealed deep within the depths of my soul. Even if Glen searched personally, he would struggle to find it. All that Raon could target was the scar upon my hand.
‘This is a mission that demands unconditional retreat…’
Since it was a place difficult for even Glen to find directly, the only thing Raon could aim for was the scar on the back of his hand.
“This is a mission that requires unconditional retreat, but…”
Derus Robert sneered at Raon’s crimson eyes and flicked his fingertips.
“You won’t back down, will you.”
That’s because I taught you that way.
“It seems your fate is to only help me and then disappear, even in this lifetime.”
Derus Robert murmured that he would give a grand funeral this time, and clasped his hands together.
*
*
“What matters to us now is the location of the missing dragons and the identity of the Blue Dragon Helmet Warrior.”
*
“What’s important to us now is the location of the missing dragons and the identity of the Blue Dragon Helmet Warrior.”
The Beast Alliance Master lifted the second document, lowering his chin slightly.
“Since that day, the Dragon Lord and the dragons have vanished from this Continent as if they never existed. Some have even abandoned their nests entirely.”
He read the report without hesitation, as if he had already completed his investigation into the dragons.
“They likely won’t appear for quite some time.”
Chamber tapped the Round Table with her lollipop stick and smacked her lips.
“Dragons were born as the strongest race on the Continent. Those arrogant creatures nearly perished en masse to humans they once regarded as insects—would they be in their right minds? They’re probably cowering in some corner, trembling like leaves.”
She chuckled with delight at the thought.
“Not only the dragons, sir.”
King Lecross raised his hand to speak.
“Tacheon, the Holy Sword Master, the White Blood Cult Master, and the Blue Dragon Helmet Warrior will all struggle to move.”
He nodded, saying that even if they survived, they would not be able to show themselves for a long time.
“W-well, that’s fortunate, then…”
The Tower Master’s eyes opened for the first time, clearly pleased at not having to fight for a while.
“During that time, we must reorganize our forces and strengthen ourselves. When we clash again, we’ll be able to crush them.”
Chamber clenched her small fist, insisting they must not miss this opportunity.
“I concur. Owen has already prepared to expand the capabilities of our knights.”
King Lecross ran his fingers along the silent sword resting on the Round Table, his gaze sharp and piercing.
“Robert has already begun training. Everyone is swinging their blades through blood and sweat.”
Derus Robert nodded, saying they must seize this opportunity as well.
“All of this is thanks to you, Head of House Glen. We can only express our gratitude.”
He rose from his chair and bowed to Glen.
“You mentioned the Deep Sea Sword, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Everyone who witnessed that blade there was apparently unable to move for quite some time….”
“To cleave through Oma and a dragon in a single stroke—I still can’t believe it.”
The leaders of the Neutral Factions exhaled in awe as they recalled the Deep Sea Sword, which they had only heard of in legend.
“Of course, that old man is certainly remarkable. But….”
Ogram turned his gaze away from Glen.
“If not for Raon, that monster would have had his heart pierced and been beheaded as well.”
He bared his teeth in a grin and pointed toward Raon.
“In other words, the one who ended this war and bought us time wasn’t Glen—it was Raon!”
“You’re stating the obvious.”
Chamber rolled her eyes, questioning why he would voice what everyone already knew.
“It bears repeating. I too believe the Gwangpung Corps Commander altered the tide of war.”
King Lecross raised his thumb, praising the truly remarkable achievement.
“Aren’t you frightened…?”
The Tower Master lowered his head, remarking that even he would have struggled to defend against such a strike.
“So then, Raon.”
Ogram turned his upper body toward Raon and smiled wickedly.
“Is there perhaps something you wish for?”
“Pardon? A wish?”
Raon’s eyes widened as if hearing this for the first time.
“What you’ve accomplished, as Lecross said, wasn’t merely saving one person—it was altering the very balance of this war. No, the equilibrium of the entire Continent itself.”
Ogram nodded with a grave expression.
“If you speak your wish, I shall grant it within the reach of my power.”
He gestured inward with an open hand, inviting me to speak freely.
“I’m the same. Even if you ask me to marry you, I’ll agree.”
Chamber adjusted her witch hat slightly, remarking that my face would be acceptable.
“Wait, that’s too shameless. The age difference is a hundred years… Ugh!”
Lecross shook his head in disapproval, but fell silent upon seeing Chamber’s flushed eyes.
“Oh, if Owen has any wishes, I shall grant them. Master of the Gwangpung Corps.”
He cried out his willingness to hear my wishes while avoiding Chamber’s gaze.
“As long as it’s not troublesome….”
The Tower Master lifted her head for the first time. Her beautiful golden hair cascaded across the table.
“I cannot be left out either. Derus Robert agrees as well.”
Derus Robert laughed, adding that he too would grant my wish.
“Raon. Speak.”
Glen extended his hand forward, beckoning me to come.
“Hmm….”
I scratched the back of my head and stood before the Round Table.
“It’s embarrassing, but there is something I wish to ask of you.”
I opened my mouth in a measured tone and turned to face Glen.
“I learned swordsmanship from the Head of House, received instruction in Gyeokhaemoo from the Demon King, and even the Silent Sword Master offered his counsel.”
I had never actually received martial advice from the Silent Sword Master, but since no one would be able to discern that falsehood, I straightened my back with confidence.
“I had hoped to learn a thing or two from Derus as well, but it’s unfortunate that Robert and I have had so little contact.”
Raon slowly lowered his gaze. A crimson flame flickered across his eyes as he fixed them directly upon Derus Robert.
“I would like to request a duel with Derus Robert of Cheongeomseong.”
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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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