The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman
Chapter 872:

“Uh….”

Raon let out a faint moan as he watched Glenn’s lips twitch like a freshly caught fish.

‘Why is he acting like that?’

He had seen Glenn’s lips tremble before, but never so violently as today. It looked like his lips might fall off.

– The old geezer must be feeling on top of the world.

Wrath snorted, saying it seemed Glenn had finally regained his vitality.

“Mm!”

Realizing his lips were trembling, Glenn hurriedly raised his hand to cover his mouth.

“…Yes. I received a general report that you killed the dragons, but I haven’t heard the details. Could you explain it yourself?”

He lowered his chin, asking Raon to explain not just for himself but for the other executives present.

“Hey! Nephew! Is it true you took the heads of three dragons?”

Balder waved his hand, urging him to speak.

“I heard two of them were ancient dragons. The Guardian must have helped, right?”

Denier narrowed his eyes, saying it would be impossible alone.

“…….”

Karoon didn’t say anything, but watched Raon with sharper eyes than usual. Maybe it was just his imagination, but it felt like Karoon was glaring.

“Three dragons….”

“Even with the Guardian’s help, that’s an incredible feat.”

“How did you do it? We’ll have to face those things more in the future.”

Not just the three lords, but even the heads and division leaders fixed their gaze on him, full of curiosity and anticipation.

“Then I’ll give my report verbally. When we arrived at Seiphia, we saw the Gold Dragon leaving the Great Forest. After that….”

Raon gave a detailed account of the war at Seiphia to Glenn and the Zieghart executives.

“…and that’s how I was able to behead Matirus in the end.”

He recounted only the facts, without exaggerating like Siyan’s stories.

“So the rumors actually downplayed it! As expected of my nephew!”

Balder grinned broadly and gave a thumbs-up.

“The rumors were downplayed….”

Even Denier couldn’t hide his surprise.

“…….”

Karoon’s gaze grew even sharper than before.

It wasn’t the hatred from before, but a strange chilliness.

“Ha, you’ve really become a monster.”

“We should have spent our entire fortune to bring you to our side during the selection….”

“At this rate, you’ve reached true transcendence. Even the vanguard can’t keep up with you now.”

The executives, seemingly shocked by Raon’s exploits, became noisy as if they’d forgotten Glenn was on the platform.

“Khhp!”

Meanwhile, Glenn started trembling not just his lips but also the hand covering his mouth, seemingly overwhelmed with satisfaction.

“H-head of House?”

Raon blinked as he saw Glenn’s arms and legs trembling.

“Ahem! Hm, excellent!”

Glenn raised a finger and forcibly pressed down his uncontrollable lips.

“Three dragons. Saving Seiphia by killing two ancient dragons as well is an achievement that’s hard to put into words.”

He nodded, openly delighted to finally praise Raon.

“The Light Wind Division also did well. Without you all, Seiphia would have fallen even with Raon there.”

He made sure to praise the Light Wind Division for their accomplishments in the Great Forest.

“I still have a few more things to report.”

Raon raised his hand as Glenn finished speaking.

“More? There’s even more?”

Balder licked his lips, urging him to continue.

“Yes, go ahead.”

Glenn leaned forward, his eyes full of anticipation.

“After defeating Matirus, the Guardian of Seiphia said his lair was nearby, so….”

Raon explained about clearing out Matirus’s lair after the dragon war, giving the dragon heart to Stehrin, and solidifying the alliance with Seiphia.

“You looted the dragon’s lair?”

Balder clutched his forehead and burst into laughter so loud it seemed it would shake the audience chamber.

“Of course you did! That’s my nephew! Always so decisive!”

He even applauded, saying he liked Raon’s way of handling things.

“Quiet, Balder.”

Karoon muttered that this was in front of the head of house and blocked Balder’s mouth. Oddly enough, his previously sharp gaze had softened a little.

“Good choice.”

Glenn put his hands together, looking at Raon.

“No, it’s just that the lair was nearby….”

“You did well in that too, but what I meant was giving the dragon heart to the Guardian.”

He nodded, looking truly proud.

“If you run alone, you can go fast. But if you run together, you can go farther. Helping the Guardian and making Seiphia an ally is a greater gain than killing ten dragons.”

Glenn said this was something only the Light Wind Division could have done, and smiled faintly.

“Hmm.”

Karoon nodded at Glenn’s words, looking thoughtful. At this moment, even Denier was harder to read than him.

“It wasn’t something I did after much consideration. It just felt like the right thing to do.”

Raon shook his head at Glenn. Honestly, he felt more like he wanted to take care of Stehrin, Rimmer’s grandfather, than bring Seiphia in as an ally, so he felt awkward being praised.

“I see.”

Glenn smiled warmly, saying that whatever the reason, what was done well was still well done.

“And raiding the dragon’s lair is also commendable. There hasn’t been anyone like you in a thousand years.”

“Ah, that wasn’t me, it was Dorian who did it.”

Raon pointed to Dorian behind him.

“He found every place Matirus had hidden gold bars and treasures.”

“Eh? N-no! It was just luck!”

Dorian waved his hands, sweating nervously, so unlike when he’d acted like a madman searching for treasure.

“Still, you did well.”

Glenn nodded, saying Dorian had worked hard.

“Heeek….”

Dorian sat down on the spot, dumbfounded at being praised by the head of house.

“We divided up the dragon corpses and brought them in pieces. Since there’s so much, once the artisans are ready, we’ll be able to supply every Zieghart swordsman with a sword forged from dragon bones and uniforms made from scales.”

He added that he had already contacted the dwarves in Seiphia.

“Then I get to use a dragon bone sword too?”

“With three dragons, there’s more than enough for everyone!”

“I’m more excited that it’ll be made by dwarves!”

The executives looked at Raon and the Light Wind Division with eyes full of admiration and gratitude.

“Good! The dragon you killed was so smashed up there was nothing left to use!”

Balder elbowed Karoon and grinned.

“Shut your mouth if you don’t want to die….”

Karoon ground his teeth, saying this was in front of the head of house.

“Hmm!”

Denier smiled kindly at himself and Martha, as if saying they’d worked hard.

No hint of negativity showed on his face. If it was an act, he was a greater monster than Raon.

“There’s one thing I have to say.”

Glenn raised a finger toward the executives.

“The Light Wind Division’s journey to Seiphia was, strictly speaking, not an official mission. It was an unofficial task to deliver the belongings of the vice division leader. In other words, the loot obtained there is not Zieghart’s, but yours. Even so….”

He looked not just at Raon, but at the whole Light Wind Division, furrowing his brows.

“You’re saying you’ll use the gold and dragon bones to provide weapons and gear for Zieghart?”

“Of course.”

Raon nodded without the slightest hesitation.

“Why?”

The question came not from Glenn, but from Denier, whose eyes were as dark as a lake at night. For someone who usually didn’t come forward, it was unusual.

“I—I mean, we….”

Raon looked at Denier and Glenn, then stroked the burning sword emblem engraved on his chest.

“Because we are Zieghart swordsmen.”

He bowed his head, as if to say, what other reason was needed?

“Ah….”

Glenn dropped his hand from his mouth, letting it fall as his lips curled so much they nearly touched his ears, trembling.

“The question was bad, but the answer is satisfying.”

Karoon erased all sharpness from his gaze and nodded with genuine delight.

“That’s right! A sense of belonging makes people stronger!”

Balder clapped his hands, also looking pleased.

“Zieghart swordsmen, huh….”

On the other hand, Denier, who had asked the question, stroked his chin with an unreadable expression.

“No matter how unofficial the task, we can’t help but reward the Light Wind Division for such achievements.”

Glenn flicked his fingers, as if he didn’t need to ask the others’ opinions.

“Yes. I already prepared it.”

Roenn chuckled and brought up a wide tray lined with gold plaques onto the platform.

“I will award every member of the Light Wind Division a gold plaque, and personally pass down martial arts to Division Leader Raon Zieghart.”

For the first time, Glenn publicly announced he would teach Raon martial arts himself.

“Huh, Father?”

Balder’s eyes widened in disbelief at the idea that Glenn would teach personally.

“The head himself…?”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

“I think he more than deserves it.”

“Me too. What happened this time might change not just Zieghart and Seiphia, but the continent’s history.”

The executives looked back and forth between Glenn and Raon, stunned.

“Does anyone have any complaints?”

Glenn looked down with eyes that seemed ready to kill anyone who objected.

“N-no, of course not! I’m all for it!”

Balder raised his thick arm in support.

“I think it’s a fitting reward as well.”

Karoon calmly brought his hands together, as if it was only natural.

“…….”

Denier didn’t open his mouth, as if he had no interest in this area.

“Ahem! Division Leader of the Light Wind Division, come to my training hall today!”

“Um, Father, Raon’s probably tired today….”

“Today!”

At Glenn’s shout, Balder withdrew his neck like a turtle.

Now, no one could stop the grandfather who’d declared he’d teach his grandson martial arts himself.

—

After everyone had left the audience chamber.

“Kkhp! Kkhhhp!”

A rain of laughter fell from the head of Zieghart’s throne.

“Are you really that pleased?”

Sheryl let out a sigh, seemingly dumbfounded.

“Wouldn’t you be? All the grandchildren are outstanding, but Young Master Raon is especially so.”

Roenn laughed, saying it was a bumper crop of grandchildren.

“I know, but I still don’t like seeing him laugh like that!”

Sheryl frowned, calling it a creepy laugh.

“Ahem, I’ve just gotten in the habit of suppressing laughter.”

Glenn cleared his throat and tried to straighten his face.

“I don’t know about the laughter, but I can understand the joy.”

Sheryl smiled faintly as she looked at the carpet where Raon had stood.

“I never thought Raon would grow this much.”

She said she expected to be surpassed someday, but not so quickly.

“I didn’t think that child would surpass the wall in his twenties, either. But that’s not why I’m happy.”

Glenn slowly shook his head.

“Even after reaching transcendence, he hasn’t changed, walking his own path and looking out for others. I’m just taken with that.”

He smiled faintly, saying Raon taking care of Stehrin and Seiphia was admirable.

“That’s true. His character as a person is greater than his martial talent.”

Sheryl agreed and looked up.

“I still can’t forget the way he protected Lady Sylvia during the trial.”

Roenn said he still remembered the young Raon who protected Sylvia, chuckling softly.

“At times like this….”

As everyone recalled Raon with gentle smiles, Sheryl clicked her tongue.

“If that damned slacker was here, he’d tell him to be honest, wouldn’t he?”

Sheryl mentioned Rimmer’s name, but couldn’t help smiling.

“And then….”

Roenn nodded with a smile.

“The head would have struck him with lightning.”

“After that….”

Glenn continued, wiggling his finger.

“He would have made a scene demanding paid leave.”

The three of them smiled wistfully, missing Rimmer. (T/N: We miss him too!)

—

“Hey! Nephew!”

As Raon exited the head’s hall, Balder waved from where he was leaning against the wall.

“You’re amazing! That decisiveness must run in the family!”

He pounded his own shoulder, as if the earlier praise hadn’t been enough.

“Ahaha….”

Raon smiled awkwardly and shook his head as Karoon emerged from behind Balder.

“Central Martial Palace Lord?”

Balder was surprised to see even Karoon waiting.

“Come this way for a moment.”

Karoon led the way behind the head’s hall.

“Why is he suddenly like that?”

Balder cocked his head, oblivious as always.

“Let’s go.”

Raon clicked his tongue and followed Karoon.

“Did you bring Matirus’s head?”

Karoon turned near the foot of Bukmang Mountain, his gaze sharp as if ready for war.

“Yes. I brought the head intact, without separating the teeth or horns.”

“Can I see it?”

His voice was low, as if it was something very important.

“I don’t have it on me. May I call my subordinate?”

“Of course.”

Karoon nodded.

“Dorian!”

Raon gestured to Dorian, who was loitering nearby.

“What is it? Did Matirus do something to you?”

Balder frowned, finally sensing the seriousness.

“…….”

Karoon didn’t answer, just waited for Dorian to approach.

“U-um, what’s going on?”

“Take out Matirus’s head.”

“Matirus’s head? Uh…ah!”

Dorian stared blankly at Karoon before nodding in surprise.

“O-okay.”

With trembling eyes, he pulled Matirus’s head from his belly pouch.

The sight of a dragon’s head, as big as a house, coming from such a tiny pouch was mysterious.

“Hmm….”

Karoon examined Matirus’s head, his gaze even sharper than before.

He didn’t just look at the outside, but measured the length from the tip of the nose to the horns with his hand, inspecting every detail.

“Central Martial Palace Lord, what is this about?”

Raon swallowed, realizing how serious Karoon was.

“Hmm!”

After measuring, Karoon gave his first deep smile of the day.

“The one I killed was two hand spans longer.”

He tilted his chin, clearly proud of his win.

“…….”

Raon looked at the satisfied Karoon with a cold, unimpressed gaze.

‘What’s with this guy…’

– What do you mean, what? He’s just another lunatic….

Wrath shook his head, saying everyone around Raon had a screw loose.