The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 305
Raon stood before Glenn's room, narrowing his eyes. 'Is he having a secret conversation?' The noise from inside had vanished moments ago. It seemed someone had installed a barrier to silence sounds. 'Was it because of that person?'
He had crossed paths with an old woman who appeared to be a Black Market executive while climbing here. It looked like she had blocked the internal sounds to hide their conversation.
Knock.
When he clearly remembered the old woman's face, the door opened and Roen emerged. He was smiling the same gentle smile as always. 'That's a world of difference from back then.' The cold-blooded assassin who had driven the 10th Apostle into a corner with a single sword had vanished, leaving only the village grandfather roaming around.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Thanks to you.”
Raon clenched his fist, then relaxed it, nodding.
“I'm glad. Please come in.”
Roen stepped aside, making way.
“Thank you.”
Raon bowed his head and entered.
Rimer leaned against the wall, frowning, while Sheryl offered a faint smile.
“We greet the Lord.”
Walking to the center, Raon stood before Glenn. His face was as expressionless as when he was in the Audience Chamber. No, perhaps because the conversation with the old woman had gone wrong, his expression was even harder than usual.
“What is it?”
The voice was slightly cracked, suggesting his injury hadn't fully recovered.
“I came to express my gratitude.”
“Gratitude?”
“Yes. Thank you for saving my life.”
Raon knelt and bowed his head. Since he hadn't expected Glenn to do this, the gratitude was even greater. Seeing Glenn, the moment he faced death flashed before his eyes, and his heart still trembled.
“It wasn't for you.”
Glenn's eyes, like winter, grew cold.
“It was merely to make the Ziegharts pay the price for ignoring the clan.”
“…!”
For some reason, the moment Glenn finished speaking, Rimer suddenly slammed his forehead.
“Even so, it doesn't change the fact that I owe my life to the Lord. Thank you for saving me and my comrades.”
Since Raon had anticipated this response to some extent, he smiled faintly and bowed again.
“Raon Zieghart. You are being arrogant.”
Glenn's eyes narrowed sharply. A sharp aura like sword energy pierced his chest.
“At your age, your martial prowess is not bad. However, there are countless stronger masters above you. They won't spare you just because you're young or talented.”
He was right. He had moved without thinking about the future, overconfident in his own growth. 'I rushed in too simply.' He thought he could defeat any apostle, and indeed he had beheaded the 7th Apostle, but the appearance of the 10th Apostle and Merlin far exceeded his predictions.
Those monsters had to create holes from the beginning to disrupt plans themselves.
“I'm sorry.”
Raon accepted Glenn's rebuke and bowed his head.
“Haa…”
Unlike usual, Sheryl let out a sigh and turned to look out the window.
“There will be no more miracles like this.”
Glenn propped his chin, frowning. His gaze was even colder.
“Do not act beyond your capabilities. Interventions without power are nothing but meaningless sacrifices.”
“Hup.”
Roen covered his mouth and closed his eyes. This was the first time he had seen this from the man who viewed Glenn as a god. 'This is correct.' He didn't know why the three of them were suddenly like this, but Glenn's words were right. Jumping in to save others without sufficient power is nothing but a suicide pact. Since nothing can be achieved with just heart, it was true.
“I will engrave the Lord's words into my bones.”
Raon sincerely accepted the advice and closed his eyes. 'Speaking of which, is the Lord okay?' He had seen him bleeding, and his current expression wasn't good, so he was a bit worried.
“Lord, are you feeling better?”
“Hmph, no need to worry.”
Glenn's face had hardened like a dried leaf. It seemed his injury hadn't healed yet.
“… Are you okay?”
“I'm fine. I'll be able to return in about a week.”
“Did you forget what I said earlier?”
A heavy dignity was in his voice. Under the strong pressure, his shoulders trembled.
“Do not be arrogant, do not overstep. You have died and come back. Rest properly until your body fully recovers!”
“Understood.”
“However…”
Glenn's lowered voice seemed slightly trembling.
“I'm glad you're safe.”
“Ah…”
He lifted his head. He hadn't expected such words from Glenn, so his mouth opened wide.
However, Glenn's expression remained as cold as before. It was probably just a casual greeting, but the first worry he had heard from him made the tip of his nose tingle.
“Thank you.”
Raon bowed deeply.
“Hmph.”
Glenn cleared his throat and leaned back deeply in his chair.
“O.”
“Um!”
“Kuh.”
Rimer, Sheryl, and Roen, who had been looking elsewhere, turned their heads simultaneously and let out low groans.
“If there's nothing more to say, then…”
“I have something. It might be a misunderstanding, but it seems the White Blood Cult Leader and Tatcheon escaped alive.”
Since Wrath wouldn't lie about that, it was true that both were alive. He had to inform Glenn as quickly as possible.
“I know.”
Glenn nodded without any surprise.
“It was my mistake to try to eliminate both at once. I should have targeted only Tatcheon, but my greed opened a gap.”
He admitted his own mistake unlike expectations, frowning. It was irritation directed at himself, not others. 'Truly, one who doesn't know.' Those in high positions usually don't admit mistakes and gloss over them.
Derus Robert was also a coward who pushed his subordinates' mistakes onto them, but Glenn, despite being at the highest position, naturally admitted his own mistakes.
It was as surprising as his martial prowess.
“You were going to say that?”
“No. There's one more thing. About Martha…”
Raon recounted everything he had heard from Martha about the White Blood Cult Leader and what he himself had thought.
“Insane!”
“Damn it…”
“Haa…”
It seemed shocking to all. Rimer gritted his teeth, Sheryl trembled, and Roen closed his eyes tightly.
“Uhm.”
Glenn also let out a low groan, his complexion returning to normal.
“How is Martha?”
“She ate and fell asleep.”
Martha believed in hope and went to sleep after eating.
“Haa.”
He let out a slow sigh and looked out the window where sunlight seeped in.
“When I first met the White Blood Cult Leader, she was a young girl with blue eyes. The second time, she was a woman in her twenties with blonde hair and purple eyes. As you thought, the White Blood Cult Leader can use the Soul Transference Technique to swap bodies.
“Indeed…”
“However, it's a bit different from ordinary Soul Transference.”
“What do you mean?”
“Soul Transference is a technique that enters another's body, so you lose most of the power you had and can't use the body's abilities fully. But this monster's Soul Transference has no such drawbacks.”
Glenn's eyes twitched. It seemed anger toward the White Blood Cult Leader was rising.
“The White Blood Cult Leader can use the power and techniques she originally had once she settles into the new body via Soul Transference. She doesn't receive any restrictions.”
“Haa…”
“However, thanks to you, I feel like that secret has been slightly revealed.”
“Excuse me?”
“Results without causes can't happen. It means there's some secret hidden in the fact that Martha wears a necklace like me.”
He spoke of causality like Wrath and narrowed his eyes. It seemed all masters knew this law.
“Then, is there a way to save Martha's mother?”
“It was originally impossible. However…”
Glenn calmly closed his eyes.
“If one has enough mental strength to surpass the White Blood Cult Leader, not just martial power, it seems possible.”
“Understood.”
Raon clenched his fist. Since Glenn said that, it meant it wasn't completely impossible. Of course, suppressing the White Blood Cult Leader would make the possibility very slim.
“Raon Zieghart.”
“Yes.”
“Excellent.”
Glenn suddenly praised and nodded vigorously.
“If the White Blood Cult Leader's secret is revealed, more than half of it will be your achievement. Well done.”
“Ah, no. I just wondered if there was a way to help…”
He had only thought about comforting Martha and figuring out the situation. He didn't deserve such praise.
“Thinking about comrades is always right. Don't forget that heart.”
“I will remember.”
“When Martha wakes up, take good care of her. When you return to the family, don't call her.”
“Yes.”
Raon nodded. 'Good.' He had worried that Martha might be viewed negatively if she was the White Blood Cult Leader's daughter, but Glenn was only worried about her. A cold yet human person.
“You may go.”
Glenn waved his hand as if swatting a fly, as usual.
“Yes.”
Raon nodded and stood up.
“Thank you. And…”
He wanted to say something to Glenn, who had given sharp yet human advice, but nothing came to mind. The only thing that came to mind was the scene of him bleeding from his mouth earlier.
“Oh, live long.”
Raon spat out the words and fled the room like he was running away.
“Aigoo! Live long? What kind of words are those here! That guy is also a problem in my eyes!”
Rimer sighed looking at the door Raon had left.
“It's unpleasant, but today you and I are in sync. Ah, frustrating.”
Sheryl let out an exasperated sigh.
“It seems you're getting better bit by bit.”
Roen patted their shoulders, saying we understand.
“Kuh…”
The three of them looked up at the groan from in front.
Glenn was clutching his left chest, biting his lips tightly.
“Huh!”
“L-Lord?”
“Is it your injury!”
Rimer, Sheryl, and Roen, startled, approached Glenn, but he lifted his head. His lips were trembling.
“Live long…”
Glenn looked at the door with eyes full of emotion.
“Thinking about Martha too, aren't you too pure and kind?”
“……”
The three's gazes hardened again.
* * *
Raon returned to the accommodation, sat down, and activated the Fire Ring. The terrible pain that had risen from his whole body as the ring resonated subsided, and the body's recovery accelerated. 'Clearly different.' Although the Fire Ring was an excellent cultivation method like the others, it was special among them. He could feel the ruptured blood vessels and torn skin regenerating little by little.
Goooooooo!
While he was immersed in cultivation, forgetting time, and recovering the mana circuits of his four meridians, the sound of people approaching the door came.
Knock knock.
Behind the footsteps, Dorian's voice followed.
“Captain! A guest has come!”
Hearing the word 'guest', he woke up. He felt two people standing behind Dorian. 'Was there a guest coming?' Raon stood up and opened the door.
“Your complexion looks better.”
Behind Dorian's smile, two women approached. The one in front was the old woman from Glenn's room, and next to her was Denning Rose, the Black Market Gransavil branch manager.
“Haa…”
Denning Rose covered her mouth, couldn't balance, and bumped her shoulder into the wall.
“It's okay. Really…”
She clutched her chest, biting her lips tightly.
“Branch Manager?”
“Don't worry. Seeing the Captain alive, my strength left me.”
The old woman patted Denning Rose's back with a gentle smile.
“Um…”
Raon nodded slightly while watching Denning Rose exhale faintly with closed eyes. 'He said thank you.' When he heard the stories of the Light Wind Squad, Denning Rose's story came up too. She had used Black Market agents all night to find the Eden branch. The tension seemed to have finally eased now.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I could live.”
Raon bowed his head to Denning Rose like a bow.
“No.”
Denning Rose shook her head. Seeing her quickly regain composure and return to a calm gaze, she wasn't an ordinary information broker.
“If it weren't for the Captain, I would have been toyed with by the 7th Apostle and died.”
She smiled faintly, saying she was just repaying the debt.
“Then, who is this…”
Raon looked at the old woman holding Denning Rose's shoulder. Judging by how she treated the branch manager, she was indeed a Black Market executive as expected.
“First time meeting. I'm Roselyn, who operates the Black Market.”
The old woman greeted with an aristocratic, aloof posture.
“Black Market Master?”
She said she operated the Black Market, not the branch. That meant this old woman was the master of the Black Market spread across the continent.
“Yes. It's an honor to have me in charge of the Black Market.”
She smiled as if nothing was wrong.
“Ah, sorry for the late introduction. I'm Raon Zieghart, the Light Wind Squad Captain.”
Raon bowed to Roselyn. 'An honor... there's no way.' The one who created the Black Market to its current size is the current Black Market Master, Roselyn in front of him. It was just humble words to someone who held all the power of the Black Market.
“Please come in for now.”
Since they couldn't stand outside the door, he called the two inside and sat them at the table.
“Dorian. Sorry, but bring some tea…”
“Got it.”
Dorian answered but didn't leave.
“Ah, here it is.”
He took out three teacups and a teapot from his belly pouch. When he put red tea leaves in the teapot, it suddenly boiled and steam rose.
Chiiik!
A heavy yet refreshing tea aroma flowed from the teapot, filling the room. 'Tsk.' Raon chuckled. These were always mysterious pouches and tools. He hadn't felt such admiration in a long time.
“Benjar green tea. It's well dried, so the aroma should be good.”
Dorian smiled as if he were a butler and poured tea into the three cups.
“You also don't seem to be from an ordinary family.”
Roselyn looked at Dorian's belly pouch with a faint smile. She took a sip of tea and took out a small box from her bosom.
“This is…”
“Ubo's Hundred Medicines.”
“Ubo's Hundred Medicines? Why…”
“It's a gift for the Captain.”
Raon's mouth opened wide. Ubo was the master of medicinal alchemy, called the Medicine Saint. The Hundred Medicines he made could save the dead, yet he hadn't expected such a precious item as a gift.
“Why give this to me…”
“Because our responsibility was involved in the Captain's kidnapping. We didn't help, but received help in return, so this much sincerity is only right.”
She extended the box containing the medicine.
“Um…”
Raon looked at Roselyn, not the medicine. Her calm gaze. A clear gaze without any selfishness, but he couldn't believe it blindly.
He slightly turned his eyes to Denning Rose. She was looking at the medicine as if it were natural and showing no reaction. 'Their reactions are a bit different.' Roselyn was giving it as if to Glenn, while Denning Rose seemed to be giving it out of real worry.
But both seemed to think this much was necessary.
“Thank you.”
Raon bowed and took the box, bringing it forward. It was light but had a heavy warmth.
“It's only natural.”
Roselyn waved her hand lightly and took a sip of tea.
“The tea tastes good.”
“Thank you!”
Dorian held the teapot and smiled smugly.
“What does 'tastes good' mean? You try it too!”
Wrath, unable to read the atmosphere, pointed at the teacup. 'Not matching.' -That's for me to decide! 'Haa...' He sighed and took a sip.
“Tsk! It's bland.”
He clicked his tongue and entered the ice flower bracelet. This isn't even raising a kid, unbelievable.
“Then, let's move on.”
Roselyn put down her teacup and smiled faintly.
“If it's 'then'…”
“You didn't mention the reward for completing the mission for this kid. No, there wasn't such an opportunity. Since you said you'd do anything, you have to keep that promise.”
“Ah…”
He had said that, and had actually thought of requesting something. But he couldn't say it out loud.
“It's fine.”
Raon slowly shook his head.
“I heard the entire Black Market used their strength to rescue me. Since we helped and received help, it's more than enough.”
Indeed. Greed turns to poison. Since everyone survived, there was nothing more to wish for now. 'If I take this, it would be heartless.' If they had just dealt with the 7th Apostle in Gransavil, he would have received the promised reward and information, but the situation had gone horribly wrong, and he had received help from the Black Market in return. It wasn't about the original reward, but asking for more wasn't right.
“This kid is the branch manager of the Black Market and one of my successors.”
Roselyn stroked Denning Rose's head.
“We can't disobey the successor's words even if we aren't a foundation like Zieghart.”
She faced Raon with a faint smile.
“Speak what you wish.”