The Reincarnated Assassin Is a Genius Swordsman

Chapter 725 Raon's mind raced as quickly as his eyes darted around. 'This is dangerous...' Although Wrath and Rimmer often told him he lacked tact, he clearly understood the current situation was perilous. Making the wrong choice here would undoubtedly lead to exhausting consequences later. -This is interesting! Wrath stroked his thick chin with intrigue. -Your fate could change depending on who you call first! He wagged his tail, seemingly amused by my predicament. -If you can't decide, you can call me master! They'll understand if it's me! 'Please, just shut up.' Raon swatted Wrath's chin away and turned his gaze to Sylvia. "Raon. Mom!" Sylvia mouthed the word "mom" as if teaching him to speak, just like she did 20 years ago. 'Why is she acting like this?' Shaking his head, he looked to his right. "No! Aunt comes first! This was decided a year ago!" Alice shouted that she wouldn't yield, placing her hand on her sword hilt. She looked ready to behead anyone who interfered. 'They wouldn't actually fight, would they...?' Raon swallowed dryly and shifted his gaze to the left front. "Doesn't 'uncle' sound the best? It's perfect for loosening the tongue when saying it for the first time." Balder waved his bear-like thick arms while looking this way. "Ugh..." Raon's urgent expression soured. 'Why is that bear butting in?' He used to be desperate to eat me, then gradually became nicer, and now he wants me to call him uncle. Even Denier, who was somewhat considerate, is staying quiet. I'm not sure if he's thick-skinned or just stupid. 'He's so simple it's hard to understand.' Let's ignore that side. Raon erased the broadly smiling Balder from his mind and turned his gaze to the platform. Glenn was looking down at him with colder eyes than ever before. The chilling aura emanating from him felt like an ice blade piercing his heart. 'If I call him grandfather, he looks like he'll kill me...?' (E/N: If I don't call him grandfather, he looks like he'll kill me...?) In a normal situation, it would be natural to call grandfather first, but Glenn's eyes were so coldly frozen that Raon's lips wouldn't part. "Raon. It's okay!" "Forget everything else, just call him grandfather!" "Grandfather should absolutely be first." Sheryl, Rimmer, and Roenn shouted to please call grandfather first, but Glenn's expression darkened even more. Just meeting his gaze sent chills down Raon's spine. "What's going on here?" "I-I don't know either..." "Well, it's the first time a branch family member has risen to the direct line." "Who will Raon... no, Lord Raon call first?" "Of course, he'll call Lady Sylvia 'mom'. Parents come first, after all." "No, Lady Alice said she's been waiting for a long time, so aunt should be the priority." "Usually, grandfather would be the top priority, but I-I don't think I could call him that..." The people attending the banquet held their breath, anticipating who Raon would address first. Raon surveyed the four people once more. 'First, ignore the bear.' He erased Balder from his sight as if he didn't exist. 'Alice is out too.' Alice is the most broad-minded person among those close to me. She's definitely not the type to get upset if she's not called first, especially since she's already heard me call her aunt a few times. 'So it's between mom and grandfather...' In truth, he was afraid to even mention the title "grandfather," but seeing Rimmer, Sheryl, and Roenn's reactions, he couldn't ignore it. It would be best to use those two. Excluding Alice and Balder, he saw a way to escape. "Phew." Raon made his decision and calmed his rapidly beating heart. "Mom." He called mom first, firmly grasping Sylvia's hand beside him. "Raon!" "Ah..." "Ugh!" At that moment, Sylvia beamed as if she could fly to the heavens, while Glenn's expression turned as fierce as if he were facing the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance or Derus. "Oh no!" "We're... doomed..." "Heh heh heh..." Sheryl, Rimmer, and Roenn stepped back, slapping their foreheads. Fear began to tremble in their eyes. But Raon wasn't finished speaking. "Mom, shouldn't you greet 'grandfather' first?" (E/N: what a devilish genius! Come with me to devildom! I will make you a king!) Raon raised Sylvia's hand, pointing towards Glenn. "Now that you're back in the direct line, calling grandfather 'father' should be your first priority, right?" He called Glenn grandfather as naturally as if he hadn't been racking his brains until now. "Ah! That's right! I became part of the direct line first." Sylvia clapped her hands and nodded. "Father. It's been a long time since I've greeted you." She carefully bent her knees, holding the hem of her dress. "Grandfather. I'll greet you again as well. I am Raon Zieghart." Raon bowed, placing his hand on his chest. 'This should do it, right?' This way, Sylvia would be satisfied, Glenn wouldn't have much to nitpick, and Alice would understand. It might seem like someone was left out, but there was no need to worry about that. -What is this! Wrath rushed in with furrowed brows. -Using your mother to escape a crisis, you cunning brat! He swung his round fist, seemingly angry that the outcome he wanted didn't occur. 'Looks like it worked out well.' Seeing Wrath call him cunning, it seemed to have been effective. "Kuhehuk!" Just as Raon was about to raise his head with a satisfied smile, a choking sound erupted from the platform. "This old man's eyes are rolling back!" "Head of House! Breathe! Breathe!" "You can't ascend now! You have to see the kids get married! Don't go!" Looking up, he saw Rimmer, Chad, and Sheryl clinging to Glenn, pounding his chest and massaging his limbs. "Huh...?" Raon's mouth gaped open as he saw Glenn's head tilted back like a puppet with cut strings. 'What's going on?' Perhaps due to fatigue, Glenn started to look blurry, just like when he used his Soul Sword on the Five Demons' leaders. He looked like he might disappear soon. "Heh heh heh!" Roenn let out a hollow laugh as if he didn't know what to make of the situation either. 'What is this?' Raon blinked blankly at the increasingly pale Glenn. 'Did I make a mistake...?' * * * Not long after, Glenn's breathing returned. Claiming that the internal injuries from the war hadn't fully healed, he returned to the audience chamber with Rimmer, Sheryl, and Roenn. The strange look Glenn gave before leaving the banquet hall was concerning, but fortunately, it didn't seem like his condition had worsened significantly. -Mmm... Wrath let out deep sighs of satisfaction as he enjoyed the banquet food, seemingly unconcerned about Glenn's condition. -This roast duck is today's main dish! The skin is crispy as if freshly fried, and the meat is so tender it melts on your tongue the moment it touches it! He held up his finger, declaring the roast duck the best among the numerous dishes. 'I really can't eat anymore...' Raon sighed, leaning his back against the wall. Thanks to Wrath, his stomach was not just full but on the verge of bursting. He wanted to rest a bit. -Hmm, I've filled my stomach enough, so I'll stop here for today. For dessert, I'll have the bead ice cream... 'Runaan ate all the ice cream, didn't she?' He pointed to the ice cream line that Runaan had emptied before leaving. There wasn't even a trace of ice cream left, let alone bead ice cream. -Kieeek! Wrath screamed, clutching his head. -Ice cream girl! He cried out Runaan's name as if wailing. "Raon! You brat!" As Raon was enjoying Wrath's screams, Alice approached him. "You didn't call me first?" "I'm sorry, Aunt." Raon bowed his head to Alice. "I thought you'd be the only one who would understand me in that situation." "It's too late for flattery now, you little rascal!" Contrary to her words, Alice smiled as she pinched Raon's cheek. "Anyway, I don't know who you take after, but your mind works exceptionally well." "Pardon?" "Calling Sylvia first and then connecting it to father was the best choice." She patted his head, saying he did really well. "Aunt, it's thanks to you. Thank you." "Hearing you call me aunt so confidently... I love it!" Alice exclaimed that she couldn't hold back anymore and hugged him. Her unique refreshing ocean scent tickled his nose. "Looking at you reminds me of my son. I don't know why, since you don't resemble him except for the eyes." She smiled faintly, meeting his gaze. "Haven't you found Brother Sif yet?" He now called Sif "brother" since he had become part of the direct lineage. "He did ask us not to look for him for a while, but he's not the type to hide his whereabouts this thoroughly..." Alice frowned, saying it was strange. "Did I push him too hard?" "Push him?" "I taught him a bit harshly, so that he does not get beaten up elsewhere." She scratched the back of her head and stuck out her tongue slightly. It seemed clear that he had been thoroughly beaten. "But he's not the type to die somewhere, so I should be able to find him soon." Alice said she'd search the entire continent if necessary when she goes out next time, then left. "Raon!" As soon as she left, Balder approached and grabbed his shoulder. "Why didn't you call me uncle!" Balder wrinkled his nose bridge, genuinely seeming disappointed. He was the most incomprehensible person in this family. "If I had called you uncle first, Lady Alice would have drawn her sword. Moreover..." Raon calmly explained the situation at that time to Balder. "So in the end, you were looking out for me!" "Yes. No, that's not..." Not at all. Balder was interpreting the situation only in a way that favored him. "I liked you from the start! You're the most straightforward person in our family after me!" Balder said he really liked Raon's personality and nodded his head emphatically. "Then I should give my nephew some pocket money!" He pulled out a pouch of gold coins and held it out. It felt quite heavy. "Eat well and grow up. You're still small!" Balder told him to grow up to 2m tall and walked towards where the alcohol was stacked. "2m is impossible..." Raon sighed and shook his head. -What on earth is that guy? Wrath exhaled sharply, watching Balder put an entire bottle of alcohol in his mouth. -Even this king doesn't know where the line between stupidity and sincerity lies when it comes to that guy... He blinked his round eyes, saying he was confused too. 'I know, right.' Raon chuckled and peeled himself off the wall. As he was about to approach Sylvia, who was surrounded by people, his eyes met with Karoon, who was trying to leave through the exit. "Being in the Zieghart direct lineage means..." Karoon turned his body towards Raon. "You must be a role model for all swordsmen. Be more mindful of your words and actions from now on." He cast a dry gaze, offering words that could be either advice or admonition. "Then I just need to avoid being like the Central Martial Palace Master, right?" Raon moved his lips, meeting Karoon's sunken eyes. 'Let's see how he reacts.' This wasn't picking a fight, but bait to understand Karoon's true nature. While waiting for his reaction, Raon formulated several plans in his mind. "Yes. That will do." But Karoon calmly nodded and left the banquet hall. "Hmm..." Raon pressed his lips tightly, watching Karoon's retreating back. 'What's with that guy?' He had expected one of three reactions: getting furiously angry, retorting sarcastically, or completely ignoring him. He hadn't even considered the possibility of Karoon simply acknowledging it and leaving. It was an unexpected response. "Father seems to have changed a bit." Burren approached from the left, smiling faintly. "Changed?" "Yes. I can't express it clearly, but..." He nodded, saying that Karoon even teaches him swordsmanship these days. "Swordsmanship..." Raon licked his lips. Karoon had consistently ignored and pushed Burren away. The fact that he was now teaching swordsmanship clearly indicated a significant change in his mindset. "Congratulations, Raon." Burren leaned against the wall and patted Raon's shoulder. "Now you've caught up to the only area where I was ahead." He smiled without a trace of resentment, contrary to his words about being caught up. "Do you remember? When I was abandoned by my father and locked away in the annex, you came to find me." Burren wiggled his finger, looking up at the chandelier on the ceiling. "Yeah. I can't forget that stupid face of yours." Raon nodded with a chuckle. He couldn't forget breaking down the annex and dragging Burren out at Tias's request. "Then do you also remember what you said as you were destroying the annex?" "..." Though he remembered, Raon remained silent. "You asked which goal was harder to achieve: yours of raising Aunt Sylvia to the direct lineage, or mine." Burren narrowed his eyes as if recalling that time. "Back then, I thought it was an impossible goal, but you've finally achieved that impossible goal. Congratulations once again." He smiled brightly as if he truly meant it. "Thanks. But..." "Don't worry." Burren shook his head with a calm expression. "How could I give up after watching your life and efforts up close?" He clenched his right hand into a fist. "I'll make my father acknowledge me, even if I have to defeat him by force. I'll obtain the Central Martial Palace and become your strength." Burren pounded his chest as if to say "trust me" and left the banquet hall. Raon smiled faintly as he watched Burren walk away with confident steps. -What's with those eyes! He's changed too much! 'That might be the real Burren.' The trainee Burren Zieghart, trapped by inferiority and stubbornness, no longer existed. The man who just swore to me is Burren Zieghart, a swordsman of the Light Wind division whose spirit won't be broken by any hardship. 'I can't be satisfied here either.' Although it was incredibly joyful that Sylvia had regained her status and turned her accumulated resentment into laughter, he couldn't stop here. Even at this moment, Derus must be plotting another scheme under the guise of being the head of the Robert family. 'I need to reveal his true identity as quickly as possible so he can't work behind the scenes.' Using the current situation and the power I possess, I should definitely be able to draw out Derus's true identity. 'Once the preparations are complete, I'll tell the Head of House...' -Hey. Something really important just came up! As he was steeling his resolve, Wrath approached from the side. 'Something important?' Thinking he might have missed something, Raon swallowed dryly as he looked at Wrath. -My mouth feels so dry I could die! Go find some mint chocolate! He waved his hand, demanding that Raon fetch mint chocolate immediately. "..." Raon squeezed his eyes shut. 'Won't that thing ever go back to sleep?' * * * "Son. I love you..." Raon laid Sylvia, who was drunk and repeatedly saying she loved him, on the bed and let out a long sigh. "Whew, I'm exhausted." Sweat was pouring down his back from having to carry Sylvia and the maids, all drunk, to the annex by himself. It might have been easier to fight a powerful opponent. But he wasn't upset. He knew better than anyone how happy Sylvia and the maids had been today. Raon covered Sylvia with a blanket and went out to the lake outside the annex. -Please! Let's just sleep! Wrath rubbed his round eyes, saying he was dying of fatigue. -We can train later... 'This isn't training.' Raon shook his head and stepped onto the lake. -Not training? 'That's right. This is an experiment.' An experiment to see if he could reveal Derus's true identity. This needs to succeed for him to use his wish on Glenn. Raon simultaneously employed the Ring of Fire and Wrath. The two energies had been constantly fighting like oil and water, but connecting them wasn't too difficult as they had often combined forces. 'And here...' Just as he was about to infuse a new characteristic between the Ring of Fire and Wrath, he heard a frog croak from beside the lake. 'There are frogs here?' As he was thinking how strange it was and about to continue his experiment, an odd thought struck him. 'It's winter now.' Even though the interior of Zieghart is temperature-controlled by magic, winter is colder than anywhere else. It was an environment where frogs couldn't exist. (E/N: reminder - zieghart is in a secluded and cold place though it is usually brushed over; the only time it was expanded upon a bit was when owen third prince visited originally) "Ugh!" As Raon widened his eyes and stepped back, the frog followed, leaping on all fours. "Raon!" The frog's mouth opened wide, and Merlin's voice came out. -Kieeek! Wrath screamed in fright and hid inside the bracelet. "Me-Merlin?" Raon exhaled sharply and took another step back. "It's been so long. I've read all the love letters you left. I've engraved every single word in my head and body." The frog's eyes began to turn a deep purple. It felt like the hair all over his body was standing on end. "I love you t-" "S-stop it." As Raon was backing away with his jaw trembling, Flumen's voice came from the frog's mouth instead of Merlin's. "Flumen?" As Raon blinked and called out to Flumen, the frog opened its mouth once more. "Raon. I found it!"