The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 976
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 976
Gooooo!
Raphael’s severed head, detached from her body, moved of its own accord. Her distorted blue eyes bent toward me.
“You….”
Raphael’s gaze roiled like molten lava. Both shock and bewilderment flickered across her features.
“I told you, didn’t I? A mere dove cannot comprehend the will of the Phoenix.”
I let Raphael’s chilling murderous intent wash over me as a sneer played across my lips.
‘There’s no reason to hide my power from the Celestial Race, regardless of what others think.’
The one who summoned Raphael was Derus Robert. It was obvious as day that he would have informed her about me, so there was no need to conceal Wrath’s authority.
‘That’s what makes it unfortunate.’
If this were her true body, it would have been far better.
Since this Raphael was merely a projection, she seemed unharmed despite her head being severed.
Had it been her true body, I might not have killed her, but I could have dealt a devastating blow. It was a shame I couldn’t achieve that.
“How dare a mere human!”
Raphael unleashed a bone-chilling shriek that tore through her throat. Her murderous intent toward me rippled across the entire Valcar Royal Capital.
Fwoooosh!
As malice bloomed from Raphael, a faint light began to return to the eyes of those who had been enthralled by her.
“Wh…?”
“That’s supposed to be an angel?”
“Her very essence seems to have transformed?”
“Not an angel, but a demon….”
Those who had been offering devout prayers swallowed hard as they beheld the transformed Raphael.
“What?”
Olga, more shocked than anyone, bit her lips until blood drew, staring at Raphael.
“I told you to leave him be, but an insolent insect deserves to be crushed.”
The scaled staff clutched in Raphael’s hand blazed with golden light, unleashing tremendous divine power.
The brilliance was so blinding that it was nearly impossible to open one’s eyes.
Uuuuuuuung!
The light surging from the staff’s tip touched the heavens and descended as a golden thunderbolt.
“Ugh….”
The thunderbolt fell far faster than anticipated. Just as I bent my knees to evade it by any means, someone stepped forward.
“How dare you….”
It was Glen Zigheart. He who had remained motionless even when thousands—no, tens of thousands—were at stake now uncrossed his arms and raised his hand the moment I faced peril.
“Who do you think you’re touching?”
Glen summoned a crimson thunderbolt with merely a gesture of his fingertips, without even drawing the True Heavenly Sword.
Craaaaaash!
The scarlet lightning that poured forth with his immense wrath tore asunder the golden thunderbolt Raphael had summoned.
Whoooooosh!
Glen’s Heavenly Thunder Strike not only erased Raphael’s lightning but incinerated what remained of her physical form.
“So it is you….”
Raphael exhaled in exasperation, as if at a loss for words.
“A mere human who dares to gaze upon the heavens.”
As she bit her lip while looking at Glen, I moved my fingertips.
Whoooosh!
The Neck Wheel Sword, fired together with the Void Slash, descended carrying the exact same Heavenly Thunder Force as Glen’s.
Splurt!
Raphael’s head was pierced by the Neck Wheel Sword, turning to black ash that began to scatter.
“You….”
“To endure countless sufferings, to grow weary of cold and heat, and sometimes to lose sleep to nightmares—only then does one become human.”
I lifted my chin as I watched Raphael disperse into darkness.
“…Yes, that is what makes one human. Well spoken indeed.”
Raphael, as if she already knew the end had come, showed no anger as before, merely lowering her remaining eye slightly.
“Yet your time grows short. If you wish for salvation, await me—await the Celestial Realm.”
Her final words, imbued with the same warm tenderness as when she first descended, spread across the entire Valkar Kingdom.
Whoooosh.
Raphael’s remaining right eye turned to dust and scattered, her avatar vanishing completely.
“Sigh….”
I slowly bit my lip as I watched the sky darken.
‘She knew she couldn’t win now, so she tried to enchant the people instead?’
Even as her clones were being erased by me and Glen, she still sought to achieve her purpose here—a woman whose vessel was vast enough to justify the rank of Archangel.
-The True Demon King said it himself! She’s the most cunning of all!
Wrath gnashed his teeth at Raphael, clearly irritated.
-Still, I’m glad we cut her down decisively. If you hadn’t moved, all the humans here would have fallen into her grasp!
He patted my shoulder as if to say I’d done well. He rarely praised anyone, but when it came to matters concerning the Celestial Race, he seemed unable to contain himself.
“Is this really happening?”
“We… we just slew an Archangel….”
“Now we’re killing angels too? Well, he is the Sword Master, after all….”
Raphael’s charm seemed to vary depending on the strength of the humans affected. The powerful ones were already regaining their senses, and she shook her head as she looked at me.
“If… if you kill an angel, doesn’t that make you a demon…?”
“Actually, his personality was already demonic anyway. I’d say it’s only natural.”
Dorian and Crain also regained their composure and laughed among themselves.
“That’s right. Our master is far more demon than angel.”
Burren nodded in agreement, drawing a thin smile.
“Angel or demon aside, he’s just insane. How did he even think to cut her down?”
Martha let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Truly… extraordinary.”
Lunan simply gave a thumbs up, his expression full of admiration.
“Phew, somehow I feel exhausted?”
“Right? Was that angel really an angel?”
“I’m not sure. When the Gale Wind Hall Master cut her, she seemed more like a demon….”
The leaders of the factions that followed the Five Emperors also seemed to have awakened from Raphael’s charm, swallowing hard as they exchanged glances with one another.
“Raon! Well done!”
Ogram clapped his massive hand against my shoulder in admiration.
“How did you cut through that barrier? The raw power was certainly no greater than mine!”
He nodded, genuinely intrigued.
“There appeared to be something special contained within the sword strike.”
King Lecross approached with wide eyes, equally astonished.
“My boy has always defied conventional understanding!”
Chamber waved her hand, telling them not to ask such questions and simply accept it.
“My boy?”
Glen’s brow furrowed as he looked at Chamber.
“That statement alone is unacceptable!”
His voice rose—a rare occurrence—as he glared at Chamber.
“Why are you suddenly angry…?”
Chamber stepped back in bewilderment.
….
Larian gazed upward with gleaming eyes, lost in thought.
Hmm….
I turned my gaze from the Five Emperors toward the leaders of the Neutral Factions who had yet to choose their path.
They remained entranced by Raphael’s charm, their eyes still vacant and dazed.
‘This is not good.’
Thanks to Raphael revealing her true nature midway through, her charm didn’t take perfect hold, but it wasn’t without effect either.
‘If the martial artists are affected to this degree, ordinary citizens of the Valkar Kingdom must be suffering far worse.’
I had thought it wouldn’t be difficult to borrow the remaining power of the Neutral Factions through the Five Emperors Conference, but it seemed Derus Robert had no intention of simply accepting this.
‘How much time do we have left, again?’
Raon smacked his lips as he gazed up at the sky, which had darkened again after Raphael’s departure.
‘Then I’ll need to move faster.’
-That’s right. Tear off every last wing from those Celestial bastards!
Wrath nodded in agreement, clearly pleased with the sentiment.
‘Speaking of which…’
I nudged Wrath and tilted my head slightly.
‘Do you happen to have something like a Demon Lord’s Song?’
*
*
*
A dim space scattered with warm particles of light.
Screech!
A crimson line was drawn across Raphael’s neck, and blood flowed down with an almost sacred radiance.
“Ha…”
She wiped away the blood with her fingers and let out a hollow laugh as if utterly bewildered.
“You brought the wounds inflicted on my clone back to my true body?”
Raphael stared at the blood smeared on her fingertips with trembling eyes, unable to believe what had happened.
“Didn’t I tell you?”
The figure reclining against the black sofa lifted his head. Derus Robert. His pale face twisted into a thin smile.
“Raon Zigheart is a being far more special than either the Celestial Race or the Demon Race.”
Derus removed his black leather gloves. Viscous blood dripped from the wound gaping across the back of his hand.
“This wound you cannot heal, despite being the Archangel of Protection—he left this mark as well.”
Rather than pain, Derus’s eyes narrowed with exhilaration as the wound throbbed.
“Why do you insist we not kill him? If he possesses such power, wouldn’t it be better to dispose of him quickly?”
Raphael’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“Because there are many ways we can use him.”
“Use him?”
She tilted her head, as if questioning his meaning.
“Raon will become an invaluable asset in our final war.”
Derus flicked his fingers lightly, saying she would understand when the time came.
“….”
Raphael crossed her arms, her expression clearly displeased.
“Enough about Raon. So, how is it? Do the insects follow you?”
Derus shrugged, asking whether his mission in Valcar had succeeded.
“I couldn’t complete it entirely because of that man you told me not to kill.”
Raphael shook her head slowly.
“But my voice and divine power have left their mark on human minds and bodies. Even if it’s not the level you desired, it will still have considerable influence.”
She nodded, acknowledging that many of those same humans would harbor suspicion.
“As expected….”
Derus Robert said he had faith in her and clapped his hands lightly.
“I made the right choice calling you next.”
He laughed, saying it was worth the effort to summon her.
“In terms of overall military strength, we’re still at a disadvantage. The Five Emperors won’t leave their wounds unhealed for long either.”
Derus Robert’s eyes narrowed as he noted that the moment the Five Emperors’ leaders recovered, the current balance would shatter.
“That’s why your role is crucial. I hope you’ll continue to draw those insects toward us.”
“…Human.”
Raphael cast a turbulent gaze toward Derus Robert. A sinister aura bloomed above her azure eyes.
“Watch your words. I am not your subordinate. I am merely….”
“Walking the same path? I understand perfectly, Archangel.”
Derus Robert bowed slightly at the waist, acknowledging her words. He rose slowly from the sofa and approached the door.
“Rest for a while. Heal that wound as well.”
Derus Robert waved his hand lightly and vanished from the dark chamber.
“Raon Zigheart….”
Raphael grasped her neck, still bleeding, and bit her lip.
*
*
*
The next day.
Raon entered the Valkar Grand Conference Hall once more and took his position behind Glen.
The festival should have continued, but the sudden appearance of Raphael had prompted the leaders of the Five Emperors to convene an emergency meeting.
“What kind of Archangel keeps descending like this!”
Ogram slammed his fist against the round table in frustration.
“Since an Archangel ranks among the highest echelons of transcendence, it’s fair to say that Derus Robert’s side now has two of the Five Emperors.”
King Lecross exhaled a long sigh, noting that the situation had taken a turn for the worse.
“Not necessarily.”
Chamber shook her head while tearing open a candy wrapper.
“It might not actually be the second one. They could be concealing another Archangel.”
She popped a candy into her mouth, cautioning against drawing hasty conclusions.
“Hmm, you make a fair point….”
King Lecross lowered his brows, acknowledging his own oversight.
“It was hardly the time to be celebrating.”
Xanthos furrowed his brow, remarking that the situation had shifted dramatically in a single day.
“Right. We shouldn’t have been rejoicing over capturing the Black Tower Master. We should have moved faster.”
Chamber also sighed with regret.
“And to think it wasn’t even his true body, but merely a clone. It’s absolutely infuriating.”
She gnashed her teeth, cursing the existence of such a damnable ability.
“At this rate, we must conclude that the war situation is deteriorating.”
King Lecross bit his lip, sensing that the Four Demons possessed greater strength.
“Still, once we recover our power, we should be able to win decisively.”
Ogram clenched his fist, convinced that if he, Lecross, and Chamber returned to their original state, victory in the war would be assured.
“That’s true, but….”
Chamber narrowed her eyes, gazing toward the corner of the round table.
“Why is one of the unharmed ones so quiet? She’s been silent since yesterday too?”
Chamber observed Larian, who wore a robe and muttered incomprehensible words to herself.
“…Aren’t you trembling?”
Larian slowly lifted her head. Above her eyes, which had been filled with embarrassment and irritation, incomprehensible formulas swirled into being.
“A Celestial—and a legendary archangel at that! Her clones and protective abilities alone are astounding, so what else could she be hiding?”
Larian twisted her lips, her cheeks flushed crimson with unbridled curiosity.
“I want to dissect that pristine white body. Slice it open bit by bit with a blade and extract her divine power. She’s rarer than the Demon Race itself.”
She continued to spill chilling words, her true nature becoming indistinguishable from her facade.
“There it is. The true nature of that corner mage….”
Chamber shook her head disapprovingly.
“You. Recover quickly.”
She gestured lightly toward King Lecross.
“Yes. It shouldn’t take me long.”
King Lecross nodded, noting that he had merely refrained from exertion and had already expelled nearly all the deathly aura.
“What of those who witnessed Raphael?”
Glen turned his gaze toward Xanthos.
“For now, all Grand Masters have recovered.”
Xanthos nodded, confirming that the Grand Masters had all escaped Raphael’s enchantment.
“However, those below that rank still seem to have Raphael’s words embedded in their minds. It doesn’t appear to be a simple charm spell.”
He shook his head, noting that the weaker one’s power, the stronger the enchantment’s effect.
“We need to address that first.”
Glen’s eyes narrowed as he stated that without erasing the imprint Raphael left behind, there was no point in gathering here.
“That’s true enough.”
Chamber bit her lip, saying they couldn’t release anyone from the Royal Capital until it was purged.
“We’re already stretched thin just finding the Four Demons, and now we’re wasting time.”
She shook her head in displeasure.
“There is a way to free people from Raphael’s enchantment quickly.”
I stepped forward before the Round Table, saying there was a fast method for that as well.
“And there’s a way to find the Four Demons too. Though it won’t be perfect.”
“There’s a way to erase Raphael’s aura?”
“To find the Four Demons as well?”
“Truly?”
The leaders of the Five Emperors opened their eyes wide simultaneously.
“Yes. First….”
I met the gaze of the Five Emperors’ leaders gathered at the Round Table, my eyes gleaming with sharp resolve.
“Let’s start by striking at the Lizard’s Nest.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————