The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman
Chapter 900:

Screeeech!

Raon and the swordsmen of the Light Wind Division walked toward the center of the dueling arena, following the path opened by the Zieghart Armed Forces.

They had completely erased the usual playful glint in their eyes and now exuded a sharp pressure as if they had become a single sword, standing in front of the platform.

Rumbleeee!

The cheers and applause from the spectators ceased as they were overwhelmed by the solemn and weighty presence radiating from the Light Wind Division.

Even the swordsmen performing the ceremonial salute swallowed dryly in surprise at the pressure.

The grave aura flowing from the Light Wind Division as they stood lined up before the platform with their hands on their sword hilts resembled the dignity of heroes saving a battlefield in crisis.

Their presence carried the power to silence the previously loud and bustling dueling arena in an instant.

“…”

At the front of the Light Wind Division, Raon nodded at Chad. It was a signal that he could proceed with the next part.

“Mm…”

Chad, overwhelmed by just receiving Raon’s gaze, let out a low groan and nodded.

“Return to position.”

At his command, the swordsmen who had been performing the salute returned to their original positions, and the audience, still seated, let out quiet breaths.

They had only faced the Light Wind Division’s presence for a moment, but cold sweat trickled down everyone’s foreheads.

“Phew…”

Chad exhaled a murky breath and stepped forward.

“The Light Wind Division made the greatest contributions to our victory in the war against the North-South Union, thwarted the dragons that attacked Seiphia and strengthened our alliance with the Elves, and rescued the Gray Hammer Guild from the demons, providing all Zieghart swordsmen the opportunity to acquire weapons made from dragon bones.”

He solemnly listed the achievements of the Light Wind Division one by one.

“And in their most recent mission, the Light Wind Division Leader struck down the Demonblade, who threatened the Iron Division, raising the name of Zieghart to shine even brighter than the Five Divine Order. In recognition of these many achievements and their growing fame, with the agreement of the Lord and all executives, the Light Wind Division will be elevated to the Light Wind Palace.”

Chad turned the slightly crumpled papers in his hand, trembling from nerves.

“First, the Lord will give a word of encouragement.”

He glanced at Glenn sitting on the throne, then stepped back.

“Ahem.”

Glenn let out a soft cough and stood up from the throne. His crimson eyes, crackling with lightning, quietly swept over Raon and the Light Wind Division.

“Mmm…”

“Urgh.”

Just receiving Glenn’s gaze made the Light Wind Division and the swordsmen in the arena let out stifled groans.

“The Light Wind Division started humbly. The division leader was a worn-out swordsman still recovering from injuries, and the members, barely in their thirties, had only just begun walking the path of the sword. No one had expectations for them.”

Glenn gave a faint smile, as if recalling the early days of the Light Wind Squad.

“But as the Vice Leader said, even as a squad, they achieved great things and spread the name of Zieghart across the continent. According to a recent secret survey, the Light Wind Division Leader was ranked number one in most respected swordsman, number one in most admired figure, and number one in most handsome…” (T/N: What the hell?! I can’t imagine Gramps, saying this publicly. ROFL. Intrusive thoughts win! hahaha)

Unlike the domineering aura he normally gave off, Glenn began listing off every poll in which Raon ranked first, slowly curling his lips into a smile.

“That’s not all. He was also ranked first in most potential for growth and most likely to break the balance of the Five Demons…”

The list continued endlessly, making one wonder where or how the data had been collected.

“L-Lord?”

Chad, lips trembling, whispered a small reminder.

“This is supposed to be a speech of encouragement…”

“Ah…”

Realizing the dazed stares from the audience, Glenn cleared his throat and forced his smile back down.

“Do you know what ‘Palace’ means?”

He turned his now expressionless gaze back to the Light Wind Division.

“It means a pavilion or a hall.”

Without hesitation, Burren responded with the definition of ‘Palace.’

“Correct. A pavilion or hall. But there’s more to it.”

Glenn met Burren’s eyes with a faint smile.

“It’s not just a simple structure—it refers to everything within it.”

“Everything…?”

“The house, clothing, food, weapons, and people.”

He folded his fingers as he nodded.

“So I’ll ask again. What do you think a Palace is?”

He shifted his gaze to Raon.

“A household… is it a small household?”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he glanced at Glenn and the audience behind him.

“That’s right. Among the Zieghart Armed Forces, a Palace is an independent entity. It often acts outside the control of the Lord, making its own decisions. It’s not much different from running a small household.”

Glenn slowly turned his gaze to Karoon, Denier, and Balder sitting in the audience.

“Thus, another name for a Palace Master is heir candidate. By managing this small household, they gain the opportunity to one day grasp the entire Zieghart.”

He nodded, saying that becoming a Palace Master was the same as being a candidate to inherit Zieghart.

“If you have any ambition for the Lord position, you’ll need to accumulate achievements that outshine them.”

He hinted that even tougher times lay ahead, smiling faintly.

“The same applies to the Light Wind Division. If the Palace Master is the lord, then you are the household members. If you cause problems, you’ll disgrace the lord, so you must be even more mindful of your words and actions.”

He glanced at the Light Wind Division standing behind Raon and lowered his hand slightly.

“Yes!”

The Light Wind Division swordsmen placed their hands over their hearts and shouted with enough force to shake the arena.

“That is all.”

Glenn stepped back, signaling he had finished his speech.

“Next, we will present the Light Wind Palace insignia. Starting with the Division Leader, please step up to the platform one by one.”

Chad quickly moved on to the next part, making sure Glenn’s dignity remained intact.

“Yes.”

Raon nodded to Chad and stepped onto the platform to stand before Glenn.

“You said you became interested in the Lord position to protect those you cherish. I’ll expect great things from you.”

Glenn handed him a golden badge with cold eyes, unlike his previous smile.

The badge looked similar to the gold ones he had received before, but the center was engraved with a sword blooming with green wind instead of a flaming blade.

It was a design he and the Light Wind Division had wanted to remember Rimmer.

“Thank you.”

Raon brushed his requiem sword once and received the Light Wind Palace badge. Though small, it felt heavier than a lump of steel—likely because of Glenn’s words.

“I believe in you.”

Glenn spoke in a voice only Raon could hear.

“I won’t let you down.”

“I don’t think you will.”

He patted Raon’s shoulder, speaking in a way that could be interpreted many ways.

“…Thank you.”

Raon bowed his head and stepped to the end of the platform.

As he looked at the Light Wind Palace badge in his hand, Rimmer’s face came to mind.

– [Don’t you have any interest in becoming Lord?]

– [I feel like you’d do a great job at it.]

– [Just think about it. No pressure. Yeah! No pressure! I’m not pressuring you…]

Rimmer had brought up the idea of becoming Lord at least once a week.

Perhaps it was his words that had sparked Raon’s interest in the position, even slightly.

‘He would have liked this.’

Rimmer had always been the one to rejoice the most at Raon’s promotions and growth, even more than family.

– Indeed.

Wrath clicked his tongue and nodded.

– That pointy-eared bastard thought of you all like younger siblings.

He let out a short sigh, saying it had been more like a family than a teacher and disciple relationship.

‘Yeah.’

As Raon wore a bittersweet smile—

Wooooong!

The requiem sword let out a clear ring and stirred a green wind, as if responding to his feelings.

It felt as though Rimmer, who had already passed on, was now standing beside him, celebrating the elevation of the Light Wind Palace together.

“Squad 1 leader, Martha Zieghart. Step forward.”

At Chad’s words, Martha stepped onto the platform.

“Your courage and tenacity have always been a great asset to the Light Wind Division. I’ll be counting on you going forward.”

Glenn gave her advice as he handed over the badge.

“Yes! Don’t worry!”

Martha replied boldly, as always, and accepted the badge with the wind engraving.

“Burren. Your greatest weapon isn’t just your refined and sharp swordsmanship—it’s your calm personality. Continue to cultivate it well.”

Glenn nodded his chin, emphasizing Burren’s strength.

“I will never forget it.”

Burren clutched the Light Wind Palace badge with trembling hands, clearly moved.

“Runaan. Thanks to your constant support from behind, the entire Light Wind Division was able to keep moving forward. Thank you for taking on the hard jobs.”

Glenn smiled warmly, clearly pleased by Runan’s selflessness.

“M’Kay.”

Thankfully, Runan didn’t speak informally this time, but still gave a very short reply as she took the badge.

“Uh…”

Glenn, caught off guard, fell silent when he saw her blank expression and let her pass.

“Dorian. Always being terrified is not ideal for a swordsman, but you gave everyone courage in your own way. I look forward to seeing more from you.”

“Snrk, huff…”

Dorian clutched the Light Wind Palace badge while wheezing like someone without a heart.

His face had turned pale—any more tension, and he might have collapsed on the spot.

‘He really saw everything.’

Glenn had indeed observed the entire Light Wind Division. He praised each one and pointed out ways they could grow. Just listening to him made Raon’s heart pound.

‘Clap.’

After presenting the Light Wind Palace badge to every swordsman, Glenn gave a light clap.

“A salute to the Light Wind Division, marking their end and their new beginning.”

As soon as he finished, the swordsmen in the arena and the audience stood and drew their swords.

Chiiiing!

Hundreds—no, over a thousand—swords rotated as one, forming a silver line of light. (T/N: CHILLLLLLLLLSSS!!)

“Salute to the Light Wind Palace!”

A second salute, more reverent than the first, was delivered by the Zieghart swordsmen toward the Light Wind Division.

Faced with this grand and solemn greeting, the members of the Light Wind Division clenched their fists and held back tears of emotion.

“Light Wind Palace Leader, please share your remarks as a representative.”

Chad announced the final part, calling Raon forward again.

“Mm…”

Raon stepped to the edge of the platform like Glenn had and faced the swordsmen and audience of Zieghart. He exhaled slowly and began the speech he had prepared.

“At first, I had no strong feelings toward Zieghart. If anything, I held more malice than goodwill—that was the impression Zieghart left on me. There were few good memories in my childhood.”

The direct bloodline and executives who had tormented him since childhood bit their lips and bowed their heads.

“But there was someone who taught me how precious family is and how important people are.”

Raon joined his hands and met Sylvia’s gaze as she looked at him.

“Thanks to that person, I came to understand the value of relationships. Simple colleagues became comrades, and even cold, distant family began to reconnect. The hand I reached out for someone else later became the one that reached back to help me. I learned just how mysterious relationships can be.”

He looked away from the teary Sylvia and turned to the Zieghart swordsmen.

“Thanks to all that, I now know what is and isn’t the right path for the family. And I’ve gained a small dream I want to fulfill within the family. I will continue to give my all to pursue that dream.”

Raon met eyes with the swordsmen and drew the Soul Requiem Sword. He raised the silver blade upside down, returning the reverence they had shown him.

‘Hm?’

As he smiled at the swordsmen moved by his words, a faint tremor came from behind him.

“Snrk…”

Turning around, he saw Glenn hiding his face with his cloak, laughing openly.

Raon quickly turned away to avoid losing his composure.

‘Mother and Father are happy too.’

Sylvia and Edgar were both crying openly, while Sia was cheerfully waving, clearly enjoying the attention.

“Raon!”

Even Aris, her mental age matching Sia’s now, gripped the railing and waved enthusiastically.

“Hmph…”

“Nephewww!”

Karoon opened only one eye with a satisfied look, while Balder waved his large arm as if to draw attention.

‘They’ve changed a lot too… huh?’

Just as Raon nodded slightly to end the salute—

‘That guy…’

Denier was smiling.

But it wasn’t his usual gentle smile.

It was a twisted grin, like someone who had achieved the wickedness they’d desired—sticky and grotesque enough to send chills down Raon’s spine.

(T/N: Why?!?! Whyyyyyyyyy!!! Why do you have to ruin the mood Denier!?!)