The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman

“Father. You have a guest!”

Therian knocked on the worn door and entered the office of the Lord of Habun Fortress, where a chilly breeze seeped in.

“A guest?”

Miland, the Lord of Habun Fortress, looked up from his yellowed desk. Though he was short in stature, the fighting spirit and ambition in his eyes burned hotter than before.

“It has been a long time.”

Raon stood before the old desk and bowed his head to Miland.

“Lord of Habun Fortress.”

“Ra… Raon?”

Miland kicked off his chair and vaulted over the desk.

“How did you come to be here?!”

He beamed a smile so bright it seemed to light up the room, as if he had never imagined Raon would visit Habun Fortress.

“I followed Yua. I found myself missing the cold yet passionate atmosphere of Habun Fortress.”

Raon nodded, mentioning that he had wanted to visit the fortress after a long time.

“Indeed. There is no place quite like Habun Fortress. Welcome!”

Miland struck Raon’s back with a hand as large as a pot lid, looking delighted just to see him again.

“You haven’t changed a bit, Castle Lord.”

Raon laughed, rubbing the spot where Miland had hit him.

“No, actually, I think you look younger.”

“I look in the mirror occasionally.”

Miland waved his hand, telling him not to talk nonsense.

“Stop saying strange things.”

“No, I’m sincere.”

In truth, new wrinkles had formed on Miland’s face, and his once smooth silver hair had turned white, making him look every bit the old man.

However, strangely, the vitality and fighting spirit emanating from him were far stronger than before.

‘He is not far from becoming a Grand Master.’

Miland was on the verge of breaking through the wall of a Grand Master. If he could find just one catalyst, he would surely ascend to the next realm.

“You’ve certainly improved your flattery since becoming the Light Wind Palace Lord. In the past, you spoke so little and reacted so rarely that I wondered if you were a stone statue.”

Miland laughed heartily, saying he liked that Raon had brightened up.

“He certainly was a peculiar person.”

Therian let out a short sigh, as if recalling the Raon of the past.

“I’ve heard all your news. The Black Tower Lord, The Fallen One, and now the White Blood Lord. You are achieving things that even the strongest on the continent could not.”

Miland nodded, his lips curling into a proud and admiring smile.

“I was lucky in many ways.”

Raon waved his hand, claiming it wasn’t achieved through skill alone.

“When it happens three times, luck becomes skill.”

Miland snorted, as if Raon was beyond the point of needing to act humble.

“Castle Lord! I’m here too!”

Dorian waved his hand rapidly, looking sorrowful at the lack of attention.

“Of course I see you.”

Miland chuckled, pinching Dorian’s chubby cheeks.

“You’ve become a Master as well. Congratulations.”

He gripped Dorian’s shoulder, noting that the porter who used to scatter fruit in Habun Fortress had become a true swordsman.

“Of course! I’ve grown a lot too!”

Dorian beamed, delighted by the praise from the usually cold Miland.

“I’m here too!”

Evelyn leaned in next to Miland with a bright smile.

“Wh… who…?”

Miland stepped back slightly, unable to recall her at all.

“There is no way I could forget someone like you, right?”

“You know, that time Yua was with the doppelgänger…”

[Stop it!]

Raon sent an Aura Message while covering Evelyn’s mouth.

[Why on earth would you want to mention that?!]

He couldn’t understand why she wanted to bring up the failed attempt to kidnap Yua using a doppelgänger.

[I want to build some common ground too!]

Evelyn shook her head, wanting to share stories of the past.

[Still, that is something that doesn’t need to be said!]

Raon removed his hand from her mouth, pleading with her to stop. He didn’t know where this sudden drive came from.

》”I told you she’s not sane. She’s just a moth to a flame!”

Wrath frowned, calling Evelyn a moth that dove into fire without thinking of the consequences.

“A doppelgänger trying to kidnap Yua? You were there then?”

Miland tilted his head, still not quite remembering.

“No! It was just nonsense.”

Raon shook his head with an awkward smile.

“Is that so…”

Miland scratched his temple, trying his best to recall Evelyn’s face.

“I heard on my way here that monsters are attacking again?”

Raon brought up the monster attacks to divert Miland’s thoughts.

“Exactly. The monster attacks have increased recently.”

Miland nodded, his brow furrowed.

“It’s not just that the number of monsters has increased; the frequency of attacks has risen as well. It feels as if we’ve returned to the time when you were here.”

He smacked his lips, adding that thanks to this, he was fighting every day.

“What kinds of monsters?”

“The species haven’t changed. Ice Trolls, White Orcs, Ogres—all the winter monsters are gathered here.”

Miland tapped a map of Habun Fortress, stating that the types of monsters hadn’t particularly changed.

“I see.”

Raon narrowed his eyes, looking at Habun Fortress and Sterrin Mountain further north.

‘It’s not Eden’s intervention.’

If Eden had intervened, the variety of monsters would have increased, or their martial power would have been raised through elite monsters.

If the species and power remained the same, it was likely a natural occurrence.

“We had a clash just this morning. That’s why you smelled burning corpses.”

Miland clasped his hands, apologizing for the stench upon their arrival.

“Th… that must be hard…”

Dorian’s lips trembled, recalling his hellish life in Habun Fortress.

“I actually prefer it this way.”

Miland curled his lips into a smile as he gripped the sword leaning against the desk.

“Every time I fight, I feel that I am alive. It was boring after that fellow took some unknown measure.”

Despite saying he had been bored, he gave Raon a smile filled with gratitude.

“Father, really…”

Therian shook his head, unable to understand Miland.

“But are you alright?”

Miland narrowed his eyes at Raon.

“I heard the Northern Extermination King has begun the successor selection trials. Is it okay for you to be here?”

He tilted his chin, wondering why Raon had come to Habun Fortress while undergoing such an important trial.

“That is…”

Just as Raon opened his mouth to answer.

“Castle Lord! Vice Castle Lord! An attack!”

A ranger burst through the door, exhaling white breath as he shouted that monsters were invading.

“Already?”

“It hasn’t even been half a day…”

Miland and Therian frowned, having not expected it so soon.

“The scale is larger than this morning! Since the repairs aren’t finished, the walls or the gates might collapse!”

The ranger bowed, urging them to go and stop them quickly.

“We shall talk later!”

Miland drew his sword and rushed out of the office.

“I’m coming too!”

Therian donned his helmet and ran outside.

》”It would be easier if they just asked you for help.”

Wrath furrowed his brows in confusion.

》”They are fools, after all.”

‘They aren’t fools; they’re wise.’

Raon shook his head, looking around the chilly office.

‘No matter how close they are, they believe it’s right to handle their own business.’

Feeling Miland’s steadfast character and spirit once more, Raon stepped onto the snow-covered stairs and ascended the wall.

Whoooosh!

He saw a blizzard coloring the world white like a blank canvas, and upon it, a green wave of monsters spreading like paint.

Facing the war of arrows raining down through the snow and monsters clinging to the walls despite bleeding, he felt as if he had returned to the past.

“Fire!”

Miland ruthlessly unleashed Sword Aura, tearing apart the monsters attempting to break the gates.

“Do not let them touch the walls!”

Therian also unleashed Sword Aura, the proof of a Master, slicing the necks of the monsters flying toward the wall.

“Castle Lord. You asked if it was okay for me to be here while Zieghart is in an uproar over the successor selection, right?”

Raon drew Heavenly Drive and stood at the edge of the wall.

Wooooong!

Endless petals bloomed atop the World Tree of flames emerging from the sword energy.

The blazing petals drifted on the wind like fallen leaves, creating a storm of fire.

The massive vortex of flames swallowed the army of monsters attempting to tear down the wall.

Kuaaaaah!

The flames, soaring as if to reach the heavens, melted the monsters without leaving a single bone fragment before fading into a warm breeze.

“Gasp!”

“Wh… what is this?”

“Impossible…”

“Is… is that human swordsmanship?”

“Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart…”

The knights and rangers standing on the wall could not close their mouths, as if they were dreaming.

“Raon. You…”

Miland’s pupils trembled in shock.

“This is the answer.”

Raon smiled brightly, shaking off Heavenly Drive, which still held lingering heat.

“I think I can take one Gold Badge from here.”

===

Miland held a small banquet to celebrate Raon’s return and the annihilation of the monsters without any casualties.

“How long has it been since I’ve had a rest like this?”

“It’s all thanks to Lord Raon.”

“Wow, I’ve never seen swordsmanship like that. I can’t believe we’re swordsmen of the same kind.”

“That swordsmanship… it wasn’t like that before. Didn’t only about ten petals appear?”

“Then he kept developing it? That’s even more amazing!”

The knights, rangers, and soldiers had laid down their weapons for the first time in a long while, enjoying a small happiness with drinks in their hands.

》”Kyaaaa!”

Wrath let out an exclamation of pure happiness.

》”A buffet the moment we arrive! A day finally comes when you are useful!”

He wagged his tail, praising Raon.

‘S… stop eating. I feel like my stomach is going to burst.’

Raon shook his head, rubbing his bloated belly.

》”Then, for the final touch, eat the pineapple pizza! I want to taste the flavor of the homeland after so long!”

Wrath reached out, urging him to grab the last remaining slice of pizza.

‘I eat that every day at home… huh?’

Raon sighed and walked toward the pizza, but a knight of Habun Fortress popped the last slice into his mouth and left.

》”Kuaaaaagh!”

Wrath screamed, clutching his head.

》”The most delicious last slice, gone to a fellow like that!”

He shrieked, unable to accept it.

》”Catch him! Catch him right now and twist his body!”

Wrath grabbed Raon’s hair, demanding he avenge the pizza.

‘Please maintain some dignity as a Monarch! You lunatic!’

Raon grabbed Wrath’s head in return and shook it.

“Huh?”

Dorian tilted his head, seeing Raon frozen in front of the empty plate.

“If you want more pizza, just tell the manager. He’ll make it right away.”

He smiled, saying it wouldn’t take long.

“I’m sorry, but pineapple pizza might be difficult.”

Yua’s grandfather waved his hand.

“We’re out of pineapples, so I can’t make it.”

He looked over, asking if a regular pizza would suffice.

“Now, now!”

Dorian approached Yua’s grandfather, brushing his forehead.

“It’s disappointing to say such things when I’m right here!”

He reached into his belly pouch and poured out ten large, plump pineapples.

“Th… this is…”

“They’re essentials!”

Dorian patted his chest, telling them to let him know if they needed any other ingredients.

“Haa, it finally feels like you all have returned.”

Yua’s grandfather let out a bright laugh, as if recalling old memories.

“Now that we have ingredients, I’ll make it quickly!”

He told them to wait a moment and entered the kitchen.

“I’ll help!”

“M… me too!”

As Yua headed for the kitchen, Yulius followed her like a shadow.

‘They’re the same.’

Raon wore a faint smile.

‘None of them have changed a bit.’

Seeing even Dorian call things “essentials” brought back old memories as if they were painted before him. A soft smile bloomed unconsciously.

“Raon. When are you leaving?”

Evelyn approached, balancing a wine glass on her finger. It was cheap liquor, but in her hand, it looked like the rarest wine in the world.

“Did I say I was going anywhere?”

Raon narrowed his eyes at Evelyn.

“There’s no way you came here for no reason. You definitely have another purpose.”

Evelyn curled her lips, claiming she knew everything about him.

“…I really can’t hide anything from you.”

Raon sighed and shook his head.

“I plan to observe the situation here and leave around noon tomorrow.”

“Noon? Got it.”

Evelyn gave a chilling smile, as if she were definitely coming along, and went to get more food.

“Noon tomorrow. Understood.”

Dorian nodded, as if committing it to memory.

[No, not noon tomorrow. We’re leaving at dawn today.]

Raon sent an Aura Message to Dorian.

[What? Uh, understood.]

Dorian glanced at Evelyn’s back and nodded.

》”So you’ve grown to dislike that madwoman too!”

Wrath nodded, saying he knew it would happen.

》”Wise choice! No one can handle that madwoman!”

‘It’s not that…’

Raon held his temples, recalling Evelyn’s behavior thus far.

‘I feel like if I take Evelyn, she’ll end up fighting Sloth.’

He decided to leave her behind because he feared a massive fight would break out if Evelyn tried to forcibly wake Sloth from his sleep.

》”True, that guy goes absolutely ballistic if his sleep is disturbed.”

Wrath frowned, noting that even he would find it hard to stop Sloth if he truly became angry.

‘That’s why I’m a bit worried.’

Raon let out a heavy breath, looking toward the north filled with white mist.

‘Just what on earth is happening?’

===

At dawn, just after the night had passed.

Raon stood facing Dorian by a tree below the wall.

“We’ll be running all the way to Sterrin Mountain, so prepare yourself.”

He loosened his ankles and wrists, saying they wouldn’t stop until they arrived.

“Ah, then wear these.”

Dorian pulled fur-lined boots from his belly pouch.

“They’re artifacts that increase movement speed on snow and ice. A winter essential.”

He smiled, saying he had brought them just in case and was glad he did.

“I can’t argue with that. They really are essentials.”

Raon smiled thinly and changed his shoes.

“But where are we going and what are we doing?”

Dorian blinked, curious.

“We’re going to wake up a sleepyhead. You’ll have a lot to do.”

Raon gripped Dorian’s shoulder, telling him he was counting on him.

“Th… that sounds a bit ominous…”

Dorian’s pupils trembled like a child caught in the snow, feeling a sense of anxiety.

“Don’t worry. There won’t be anything dangerous.”

Raon encouraged him with a pat on the back and sprinted north.

“W… wait for me!”

Dorian gasped and chased after Raon.

Whoooosh!

Because Raon and Dorian’s martial power had increased and they were wearing movement-enhancing artifacts, Sterrin Mountain came into view in a fraction of the time it would have taken before.

‘That mountain is still the same.’

Just as Raon was smiling while scanning the panorama of Sterrin Mountain, draped in eternal snow…

》”Hm?”

Wrath let out a low groan, his eyes widening.

‘What is it?’

》”A powerful shock occurred in that mountain.”

‘A powerful shock?’

Raon expanded his Aura Sense, tilting his head for a moment before his eyes snapped open.

‘I… I felt it too.’

Though much later than Wrath, he too could feel the shock that had erupted from Sterrin Mountain.

For a powerful wave to be felt from this distance, it suggested the presence of a Transcendent.

“Dorian. It’s okay if you’re slow. Just follow me properly.”

“Huh? What do you mean…”

“I’m going ahead.”

Raon unleashed a powerful True Step that seemed to shatter the white earth, employing Supreme Harmony Steps at full power.

Whoooosh!

He tore through the sound, racing toward Sterrin Mountain in a world where the snow seemed frozen in time.

Pa-aaaang!

Having reached a realm where he could alter reality with his Will, Raon arrived at the entrance of Sterrin Mountain in an instant.

‘Right. Two Transcendents clashed here.’

He didn’t know who they were, but it was certain that a massive shock had occurred at the center of Sterrin Mountain.

‘Sloth’s barrier is still there.’

Seeing that Sloth’s barrier, which began from the mountainside, remained intact, it seemed there were no problems with him.

》”I don’t feel Sloth’s power. It seems he is still sleeping.”

‘Thank goodness.’

Raon let out a sigh of relief and ascended toward the summit of Sterrin Mountain.

The moment he tried to look down at the frozen lake where Sloth should have been sleeping, his entire body froze.

Rumble!

Sloth, who he had assumed would be asleep, had torn through the blanket he had given him and lifted his eyes, which burned with a dark flame.

“Was it… you?”

The Demon King of Sloth raised his creaking Physical Body, radiating a Divine Authority so powerful it felt as if it could crush the entire world.

“The one who… woke me from my slumber?”