The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman

“Annihilation?”

Raon placed his hands on the table and narrowed his eyes.

“Even if a village collapsed, you wouldn’t normally use the word ‘annihilation’…”

It was strange to use a word like “annihilation” for a small village—not a kingdom or a family—so he pressed the matter.

“I don’t wish to describe it that way either, but I have no choice but to say so because it was truly annihilated.”

Rabawin bit his lip so hard it looked like it might leave a mark.

“In a village where over two hundred people lived, there wasn’t a single survivor, and all the houses and buildings had crumbled to dust.”

He let out a heavy sigh, saying the scene could only be described as annihilation.

“Did both villages collapse in the exact same way?”

Raon tapped his fingers on the table, his brow furrowing.

“Yes. In both cases, everything had weathered away as if it had been annihilated decades ago.”

“Are the two villages located next to each other?”

“No. They are quite far apart.”

Rabawin shook his head, explaining that there were several ports and cities between the two annihilated villages.

“Then the ports in between…”

“They’re fine. I heard nothing happened to them at all.”

He narrowed his eyes, adding that not even a large wave had struck.

“If that’s true…”

Raon let out a short sigh as he looked at Rabawin, whose expression had hardened.

“It means this wasn’t a natural phenomenon.”

The fact that the ports between the two villages were unharmed meant it definitely wasn’t a natural occurrence.

“That’s right. I thought so too, and while I was investigating…”

Rabawin’s fingertips trembled as he looked at him.

“I encountered a monster of the sea.”

“A monster?”

Raon swallowed dryly and leaned toward Rabawin.

“To explain from the beginning, I heard a rumor that the same phenomenon had occurred in a village outside our territory, so I went to check it out immediately.”

Rabawin gripped his trembling right hand with his left, his voice low.

“I didn’t see any bodies there either, but the entire village was soaked in seawater. As if a giant tidal wave had engulfed it.”

He narrowed his eyes, saying he saw the seawater rise and then recede over the entire village.

“Then it’s a natural—”

“Actually, I had been thinking it was an artificial phenomenon, so I found it strange and was searching the nearby coast when…”

“Don’t tell me.”

Raon swallowed dryly as he watched Rabawin’s eyes tremble.

“You encountered it yourself?”

“Yes.”

Rabawin clutched his head as if recalling the moment he met the monster.

“I was riding our ship, following a strange current I’d never seen before, when that colossal monster burst out from the endless sea before me.”

His voice trembled as if he had felt an overwhelming difference in power.

“What kind of monster was it?”

“A… a wolf.”

Rabawin named a beast that had no connection to the sea whatsoever.

“A wolf?”

“Not an ordinary wolf. It was a being that held the sea in its body and soul. It was so massive, it felt like the ocean itself was looking down on me.”

He let out a deep groan, saying it was a being with a soul so immense it made him feel insignificant.

“The moment it saw me, it vanished as if uninterested, but if we had fought right there…”

Rabawin’s face contorted as if the outcome was obvious.

“We would have been annihilated. The aura that wolf possessed was on par with a Transcendant’s.”

He trembled as if he were still being battered by the wolf’s aura.

“Hmm…”

Raon watched the terrified Rabawin and narrowed his eyes.

‘A wolf capable of frightening Sir Rabawin…’

Rabawin was an experienced Grand Master. For him to be this afraid, it was definitely no ordinary monster.

‘Still, it couldn’t have been Transcendant-level.’

With the exception of Ancient Dragons, Transcendant-level monsters were almost nonexistent.

Rabawin must have been tense and on edge at the time, so his judgment was likely clouded. The chances were high that he had misjudged it.

“Is that why you returned to ask for Lady Aris’s help?”

Raon finally understood why Rabawin’s expression had been so dark.

“That’s right. It’s too much for me, but Lady Aris should be more than capable of hunting that wolf. Besides, the number of other pirates in the area has been increasing…”

Rabawin sighed, saying he had returned to the family at once, thinking the matter needed to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

“However, I don’t know when Lady Aris’s training will end…”

He lowered his brow, looking worried about the other villages and ports even at this very moment.

“In that case, that matter…”

Raon set down his teacup and placed his hands on the table.

“We, the Light Wind Palace, will take it on.”

“Pardon?”

Rabawin’s eyes shot up as if asking what he meant.

“Ah, no. This isn’t Zieghart’s business, but that of our Pirate King—”

“Technically speaking, the Pirate King isn’t an ally of Zieghart, but more like a subordinate organization of the family, just like our Light Wind Palace.”

Now that Aris had returned to Zieghart, it wasn’t strange to consider the force she commanded as the Pirate King to be part of Zieghart’s military power.

“It’s only natural that we protect those villages, and our swordsmen have been doing nothing but training for a month. It’s time they got some real combat experience.”

Raon shook his head, telling him not to worry.

“B-but, I feel like this would be too great an imposition…”

“It’s also a good opportunity to repay you for everything I’ve received from you and Auntie, so please don’t refuse.”

He bowed his head, phrasing it not as help, but as a request.

“Hah…”

Rabawin let out a breath, flustered at being the one asked for a favor instead of the one asking.

‘He’s changed again.’

The previous Raon had been kind, yet there was a coercive side to him.

But the man before him now seemed to be reaching completion not just as a warrior, but as a person.

“Understood. Then I’ll be in your care.”

Rabawin said he was grateful for the help and bowed deeply, just as he would to Aris.

===

After telling Rabawin to prepare for their departure, Raon went straight to the audience chamber and told Glenn about Rabawin’s situation.

“So…”

Glenn narrowed his eyes, stroking the armrest of his neatly repaired throne.

“Are you saying you intend to go out to sea this time?”

“Yes.”

Raon nodded calmly.

“By now, there isn’t a single person who doesn’t know that the Pirate King is Aris Zieghart. In other words, it’s no exaggeration to say that the villages protected under the Pirate King’s name are also under Zieghart’s name.”

He pointed to the map, explaining that even if it wasn’t true in reality, that was how others would see it.

“Two such villages have already collapsed, so the factions under our command may be growing fearful and anxious. Normally, Lady Aris would have rushed out, but since she is focused on her training, we would like to handle it in her stead.”

Raon bowed his head, stating that he would handle this matter with the Light Wind Palace.

“Hmm…”

Glenn gazed out the window, stroking his chin.

“Is there something bothering you?”

“Since Rabawin saw it himself, that sea wolf must be the culprit. However…”

He looked back at him and let out a low groan.

“The fact that the wolf possessed an Aura on par with a Transcendant’s is a bit concerning.”

Glenn frowned, saying that if it was truly at that level, it could be dangerous.

“Well, the sea is vast, so it’s full of all sorts of creatures.”

Wrath nodded as if he agreed with Glenn’s thoughts.

“If you go into the deep sea, you might even find a monster that would be difficult for you to handle.”

He raised his round hand as if to scare him.

“I believe Sir Rabawin misjudged it, but if it really is Transcendant-level, then I welcome it.”

Raon smiled, saying he hoped for it even more.

“The fight against that monster will lead me to greater heights.”

Training in the martial arts grounds wasn’t very helpful for him at his current level.

Going out and fighting strong opponents would be far more beneficial.

“True, there are few who can defeat you now.”

Glenn nodded as if he had no choice.

“Very well. I grant you permission.”

He waved his hand, telling him to be careful.

“Understood.”

Raon thanked him and was about to leave the audience chamber.

“Ahem! Wait.”

Glenn let out a loud, fake cough and raised his hand.

“G-go and send me letters too. Don’t just send them to him.”

He glanced away, asking him not to send letters only to Rektor, but to him as well.

– “Wow…”

Wrath let out a hollow laugh, dumbfounded.

– “He sees his grandson every day, yet he’s jealous over a single letter. That old geezer is really…”

He shook his head.

“I understand.”

Raon smiled and nodded. After promising Glenn he would send letters regularly during the voyage, he left the audience chamber and returned to the fifth training ground, where the swordsmen were still training.

“You shouldn’t just leave during training hours!”

Martha narrowed her eyes, asking where he had wandered off to while he was supposed to be teaching her.

“But Raon is allowed to…?”

Runaan shook her head, saying Raon was the master of this place.

“Hah, nagging the Lord of the Palace…”

Burren massaged his temples, wondering where to even begin with her.

“Enough with the jokes. Everyone, gather around.”

Raon summoned the swordsmen scattered throughout the training ground and stepped onto the platform.

“You all know better than anyone that your martial prowess and mental strength have grown significantly over the past month of training.”

He looked over the swordsmen one by one, who were now exuding the refined Aura of seasoned warriors.

“It seems the time has come to test the progress you’ve built up in this place.”

Raon nodded, saying the time for real combat had arrived.

“You finally got us a mission!”

Martha bumped her clenched fists together as if to say, ‘well done.’

“What kind of mission is it this time?”

Burren’s eyes glinted, as if he needed to start planning ahead.

“I’d be fine staying here…”

Runaan let out a small yawn, looking like she couldn’t be bothered to go out.

“This mission is…”

Raon relayed the story he had heard from Rabawin to the Light Wind Palace swordsmen.

“A T-Transcendant-level monster?”

“Did something like that exist?”

“H-he must have seen it wrong. He said it was from a distance!”

“If it’s real, can you even call that a monster?”

“Real or not, if it’s strong enough to destroy an entire village, it’s no ordinary monster…”

The swordsmen’s eyes trembled, tense at the mention of a Transcendant-level monster.

However, they weren’t simply afraid; they licked their lips, eager to test their skills on this mission.

– “It seems the children are finally breaking out of their shells.”

Wrath nodded, pleased with the Light Wind Palace swordsmen’s reaction.

‘You’re right. They’ve changed a lot.’

Their desire to test their skills despite knowing the danger was the very image of a Zieghart swordsman.

‘Of course, there are some who aren’t like that…’

Raon let out a short sigh and turned his gaze to the right.

“A T-Transcendant is a bit much, isn’t it? If we fall into the sea, we’ll die before we can even use our swords…”

“Right. I’m not really feeling it…”

Krein and Dorian muttered to each other, trying not to be overheard, as if they weren’t interested.

“Cut the crap and get ready.”

Martha slung her arms around Krein’s and Dorian’s shoulders, smiling coldly as if she’d kill them right here if they backed out.

“N-no, ma’am!”

“Of course we’re going!”

Dorian and Krein forced smiles, insisting they had no intention of backing out.

“Then finish your preparations and gather here by dawn tomorrow.”

Raon looked down at the Light Wind Palace swordsmen and gave a slight nod.

“Dawn tomorrow?”

“That’s only a few hours away!”

The swordsmen’s eyes widened, exclaiming that it was too soon.

“We don’t know when another village or port might be attacked, so we have to leave as soon as possible.”

Raon shook his head, saying he had even considered leaving right away.

“That’s the right call!”

Martha nodded, saying it was a good idea.

“I can only sleep for ten hours…”

Runaan was the first to turn away, saying she had to go back quickly.

“Understood!”

Burren said he would prepare well and began giving the Light Wind Palace swordsmen points to be aware of.

“I’ll check the supplies!”

Dorian, now that the departure was decided, remembered his duties and ran toward the warehouse.

“Hmm…”

Raon watched the bustling training ground, and a soft smile formed on his lips.

‘He said the number of strong pirates has also increased, so this will be perfect for the Light Wind Palace’s combat experience.’

Of course, the most important thing was the wolf.

‘I wonder how strong a doggy that lives in the sea can be.’

===

The next day.

Guided by Rabawin, Raon and the Light Wind Palace traveled through a series of dimensional gates, arriving at the coast where the Azure Wind ship was docked.

“This ship is still massive.”

Martha whistled as she looked up at the colossal exterior of the Azure Wind ship.

“I think it got bigger…”

Runaan blinked, saying the Azure Wind ship seemed to have grown.

“That’s right. We added blackwood, so it’s wider than before.”

Rabawin nodded, explaining that they had reinforced the hull with sturdy blackwood because of their battles with pirates. He was smiling, but his eyes trembled faintly, likely from worry about the villages and ports.

“Are all the preparations complete?”

Raon touched the blackwood hull and looked at Rabawin.

“Yes. We didn’t know when Lady Aris would come out, so we prepared food and supplies in advance.”

Rabawin nodded, saying they could last for over two months even if they departed right now.

“Then let’s depart immediately.”

Raon nodded, seeing Rabawin’s hardened expression.

“We don’t know when another village might be attacked. It would be best to move quickly.”

“Ah, was I being too obvious…”

Rabawin scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

“My apologies. And thank you.”

He thanked him for his consideration and was the first to step onto the gangway and board the ship.

“Let’s go.”

Raon gestured for the Light Wind Palace swordsmen to board immediately and followed them onto the Azure Wind ship.

‘This part hasn’t changed.’

Unlike the reinforced exterior, the ship’s interior hadn’t changed much. The memory of meeting Aris here for the first time came to mind, and an unconscious smile appeared on his face.

“Prepare to set sail!”

While he was lost in memories, Rabawin had called the crew and was preparing for departure.

“Lord of Light Wind Palace.”

After finishing all the departure preparations in just thirty minutes, he approached him.

“Please give the order.”

Rabawin bowed, saying that even if it was temporary, he was the captain.

“Set sail.”

Raon nodded to Rabawin and the crew, who were looking only at him.

“Set sail!”

“Set sail!”

As Rabawin and the crew repeated his words in unison, the mast rising from the center of the deck unfurled its sails—long enough to cover the sea—and the massive galleon began to move slowly.

Fwoooooosh!

As if it had no weight, the Azure Wind ship followed the breeze, cutting through the blue sea.

“It will take half a day to reach the port we protect, so please go inside and rest.”

Rabawin bowed his head, saying it would be noisy for a while, so he should rest in his cabin.

“No. I’d like to watch the sea for a while. It’s been a long time.”

Raon said he would remain on deck and turned around.

“The rest of you, those who want to rest can rest, and those who want to train can train.”

He waved his hand, telling the Light Wind Palace swordsmen to do as they pleased.

“Okay. I’m going to sleep…”

As soon as Runaan heard that, she said she would sleep first and went into a cabin.

“I will meditate for a bit.”

Burren, feeling that his martial intuition was lacking, went to a corner of the deck and closed his eyes.

“I’ll go check the supplies! We might be short!”

Dorian, as if the Azure Wind ship were his own ship, went down to the warehouse to check the supplies.

“I-I’ll get some rest…”

Krein blinked, looking tired, and headed toward the cabins.

“Not so fast.”

Raon raised his hand, blocking Krein’s path.

“You’re the one who needs it most. Stay by my side and train your Aura.”

“Ugh…”

Krein’s eyes darted around, looking for an escape, but seeing none, he sighed and sat down on the spot.

Wooooong.

Just as Raon was pushing heat and cold into Krein’s back to begin the torture training method, Martha approached.

“Do me too.”

Martha nodded, asking him to use the torture training method on her as well.

“You…”

“I want to become even a little bit stronger before that day comes.”

She bit her lip, wanting to improve her skills further somehow before fighting the White Blood Lord.

‘Her resolve has become even stronger.’

Martha had been craving strength even more since crossing the wall of Intermediate Grand Master. Knowing her circumstances, Raon couldn’t recklessly stop her.

“Haa.”

Raon let out a short sigh and placed his hand on Martha’s back.

“It’s going to hurt a lot.”

As much as she had grown, he increased the intensity, pushing in the heat of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and the coldness of Glacier.

“……”

Even as Martha felt the pain of her entire body being torn apart, she didn’t let out a single groan, sitting there and beginning her Aura cultivation.

– “She’s tough.”

Unlike his words, Wrath looked at Martha with bitter eyes.

‘She is tough. But I would have done the same.’

If he were in the same circumstances as Martha, he would have done the same. No, he would have whipped himself even more harshly.

‘I can’t stay like this either.’

Raon clicked his tongue and leaned his back against the deck.

‘I need to get stronger to help that girl.’

Martha alone can never save her mother from the White Blood Lord.

He and another top-tier Transcendant would barely be able to face the White Blood Lord.

‘Whether I kill the White Blood Lord or save her body….’

The important thing is the achievement of the Heart Sword.

If the level of the Heart Sword doesn’t increase, he will never be able to save Martha’s mother.

‘Concentrate….’

Raon was about to open the realm of his soul to enter the realm of the Heart Sword, feeling the sea breeze.

Whoooooooo!

The moment he revealed his soul, he felt a chilling Aura, as if something were looking down at him from the far end of the sea.

It wasn’t a human gaze. It was a chilling sensation, as if nature itself were looking down on him.

“This is….”

Raon hurriedly turned around and looked at the coastline illuminated by the sun.

Gooooooo!

From the immeasurable end of the sea, the face of a giant wolf, with waves as its mane, emerged.