The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman

"…"

Karoon's eyes turned cold, clearly displeased with Borgos' words.

"That dwarf knows what he's talking about."

Unlike Karoon, Balder smiled brightly and nodded.

"My nephew's got guts, and he's dependable! Sometimes I think he's better than me or even my brothers! Hey, dwarf! You chose the right side!"

He clapped his hands loudly, saying Raon was better than many of the division leaders.

"Shut your mouth."

Karoon struck Balder in the side, reminding him they were in the presence of the patriarch.

"Why does the patriarch's hall always have to be like a library? Why can't we talk freely?"

"Ahem!"

Glenn cleared his throat and subtly lowered his chin.

"So you trust the Leader of the Light Wind Division that much?"

He narrowed his eyes, pretending to feel discomfort as he covered his mouth.

"I do."

Borgos stepped up beside Raon and nodded.

"He didn't even ask what was going on, and still came to rescue this old man after meeting me just once."

His lips trembled slightly as he recalled Raon reaching the deepest parts of the underground ruins.

"Dwarves don't easily make friends, but once we do, we trust and follow them for life. This young man—no, this benefactor—is someone worthy of that trust."

Borgos thumped his chest with his fist, saying it was a debt he could never repay.

"Well said, chief!"

"We feel the same!"

"Just as he risked his life for us, we can risk our hammers for him!"

Pallentun and the other craftsmen echoed Borgos' sentiments and beat their chests.

"Lifelong trust, huh…"

Karoon crossed his arms, speechless at how much trust Borgos had in Raon.

"Friendship between a dwarf and a human? Amazing!"

Balder let out a satisfied hum like he'd just downed a mug of beer.

"Master Borgos…"

Raon bit his lip as he looked at Borgos standing proudly.

'I didn't expect that much trust…'

He knew Borgos and the Gray Hammer Guild were thankful, but he thought their relationship had a hint of transactional exchange. That, it turned out, had been a huge misunderstanding.

They saw him as nothing less than a true benefactor.

"I-I see."

Glenn's hands trembled, and the tips of his ears flushed red. He was clearly holding back an overwhelming emotion.

"If you had disrespected Zieghart, you would've paid the price—but this is a different case."

He closed and reopened his eyes, indicating he accepted Borgos' words.

"Do as you wish. If you want to become one of us, we welcome you. If you choose to leave, we accept that too."

He nodded, welcoming Borgos and the Gray Hammer Guild.

"Welcome, dwarves! Make my sword heavy, thin, and smooth!"

Balder stomped his foot, loudly stating the type of sword he wanted.

"Haaah…"

Karoon sighed lightly and swung his arm, elbowing Balder hard in the ribs.

"Gahk…"

Balder had assumed it would be a light jab like before, but he flipped backward, eyes rolling from the impact.

"Apologies. He's still not fit to be a division leader."

Karoon bowed to Borgos, telling him not to mind Balder.

'Ha…'

Raon gave a dry laugh as he met Karoon's calm gaze.

'Back then, he'd have lost his temper before Balder even opened his mouth…'

It was surprising how much people could change.

Even though Borgos said he trusted Raon more than Zieghart, Karoon didn't react in anger. Instead, he remained composed and respectful.

It was likely because he truly loved Zieghart.

"No."

Borgos shook his head, looking at the fainted Balder.

"To a craftsman, working with dragon bones and scales is a dream. Such precious materials shouldn't be wasted. I intend to craft equipment tailored to each wielder."

He folded his hands and said that custom work would be more appropriate, even if it took time.

"Custom forging will take more time and effort. Are you sure?"

Glenn's voice carried concern for Borgos and the other craftsmen.

"Of course. Compared to what our benefactor did for us, that's nothing."

Borgos said he would do even more if Raon asked for it.

"Besides, it's good for us too. Just like with swordsmanship, there's no end to hammering."

He nodded, saying it was a training opportunity for them as well.

"If you say so, I'll accept."

Glenn slowly lowered his gaze, agreeing.

"If you need anything, just let us know. We'll support you as best we can."

"A craftsman only needs three things: a place to rest, a flame, and a hammer."

Borgos smiled confidently as he listed the essentials. It was the smile of someone who had reached transcendence through his craft.

"A place to rest, flame, and hammer…"

Karoon looked at Borgos with a faint smile. There was a trace of admiration in his calm eyes.

"Understood. We'll provide the best accommodations. You've had a long journey, so rest first."

Glenn also seemed pleased with Borgos' character and nodded.

"Rest is good, but I'd like to start working immediately."

Borgos firmly shook his head.

"Idling around only leads to bad thoughts. I want to get to work right away."

He bowed, saying it didn't matter if things weren't ready.

"…Sometimes, getting lost in work is for the best."

Glenn sighed, understanding how Borgos felt.

"Very well. Light Wind Division Leader, escort our guests to Mirtan."

He lowered his voice, instructing Raon to take Borgos and the dwarves to Mirtan, where Zieghart's craftsmen resided.

"We'll discuss everything else later."

"Understood."

Raon stepped back and bowed to Glenn.

"Let's go."

After the farewell, Raon left the hall with Borgos and the other craftsmen.

"Division leaders, assess what kind of weapons your swordsmen need and submit the list to the Shadow Division."

It seemed they were really planning to forge custom weapons for all Zieghart swordsmen.

"Yes, sir!"

"Understood!"

The division leaders left with bright smiles, thrilled at the thought of receiving swords crafted from dragon bones by master dwarven artisans.

"Patriarch."

Once the others had left, Karoon stood before Glenn's elevated seat.

"Since the Light Wind Division Leader has achieved another great feat, I'd like his reward to be what I suggested earlier."

He said only that before dragging the unconscious Balder out of the audience chamber.

"If he meant what I think…"

Sheryl narrowed her brows as she looked toward the door Karoon had exited.

"Raising Raon to a Palace Leader?"

"Most likely."

Roenn laughed softly and nodded.

"Karoon had already suggested it before."

"He really has changed a lot. But I get it."

Sheryl let out a dry breath and chuckled.

"Raon now isn't the same kid I taught dual swords to. It felt more like traveling with someone stronger and more skilled than me."

She said he could run a Palace just fine.

"Ahem!"

Glenn no longer bothered to hide his smile, his lips curving into a long, proud grin.

"He reminds me of the old Patriarch. That lazy bastard raised one hell of a disciple."

Sheryl shrugged as she looked at Glenn's smile.

"It wasn't that guy—it's all Raon's doing!"

Glenn snapped, narrowing his brows.

"That's true. He'd have grown just fine anywhere."

Sheryl nodded with a laugh. She remembered their past arguments over whether the disciple or grandson came first.

"No! He wouldn't have grown like this if not for Zieghart!"

Glenn firmly shook his head, clearly wanting credit as the grandfather.

"You're right. It's because he's the Patriarch's grandson."

Sheryl sighed and nodded.

"Ahem!"

Glenn finally relaxed into his throne, visibly satisfied.

"But what about the Central Martial Palace Lord's suggestion?"

Sheryl looked up, curious about Glenn's thoughts.

"Palace Leader, huh…"

Glenn closed and opened his eyes as he stared at the center of the hall where Raon had stood.

"Yes. It's about time."

* * *

As soon as Raon left the Patriarch's Hall, he led Borgos and the craftsmen to Mirtan Village.

"The heat is definitely strong here."

Borgos licked his lips, feeling the rising geothermal heat just by walking.

"Unusual for the north."

He rubbed his thick hands, saying he liked it. A man with both skill and character worthy of a continental artisan.

"The heat intensifies along this path. That mountain must be volcanic."

Borgos' apprentice nodded as he looked at the mountain behind Mirtan Village.

"Yes. There used to be a Red Dragon Turtle absorbing geothermal energy there."

Raon explained the previous encounter.

"A Red Dragon Turtle loves lava and heat. If it came all the way out, this place must rival Blazing Furnace Mountain."

Borgos chuckled, saying he was looking forward to the Vulcan's village.

"And we're here now."

Raon raised his hand and pointed to the modest but sturdy entrance of Mirtan Village.

Clang!

The moment they stepped in, the air changed. With a heat like flowing lava, endless hammering sounds rang through the air.

"Hm…"

Borgos nodded slightly as he looked at the outermost workshop where the sounds came from.

"Still a bit unpolished, but full of passion."

He smiled faintly, pleased with the young craftsman's hammering.

The other dwarves and craftsmen also smiled for the first time since leaving Blazing Furnace Mountain, enjoying the sounds echoing through the village.

'Truly a smith's soul.'

It wasn't for nothing that they were called master artisans—just hearing hammering sounds was enough to lift their spirits.

"Master Vulcan is up there."

Raon led the excited Borgos and dwarves toward the main workshop at the village peak. Their cheeks flushed with heat and anticipation, they quickened their pace.

'Hm?'

As he observed Vulcan's workshop, Raon narrowed his eyes.

'There's someone else here.'

He felt another presence inside besides Vulcan. They didn't seem to be working, so it should be fine to call them.

"Master."

Raon knocked on the steel door and called Vulcan's name.

Creak.

Before he could exhale, the door swung open. Vulcan appeared, face flushed as if drunk.

"Raon! What took you so long!"

Vulcan scowled, asking why he only sent word he was coming without showing up.

"Sorry. I ran into some things along the way."

Raon bowed and apologized.

"You said you were bringing dragon bones, so I had high expec—huh?"

Vulcan clicked his tongue, then widened his eyes at the sight of Borgos behind him.

"Dwarf! What are you doing here…?"

"It just ended up this way."

Borgos gave a bitter smile, saying it was a long story.

"Something must've happened."

Vulcan furrowed his brows, reading Borgos' expression.

"Well, since I'm crashing here, might as well explain briefly."

Borgos nodded and explained what had happened.

"Whoa…"

Vulcan was at a loss for words, blinking as he absorbed the story.

"It's all fine now, so don't make that face."

Borgos lowered his chin, asking to be treated normally.

"But…"

"I've seen plenty of your swords, but this is my first time seeing your workshop. It's tiny for a continental artisan, isn't it?"

He tried to lighten the mood with a joke.

"Size doesn't matter for an artisan."

But the response came not from Vulcan—but from within the workshop. A familiar voice. Another continental artisan—Kuberad.

"Kuberad? You're here too?" (T/N: Kuberad created the Requem Sword, right?)

This time, Borgos widened his eyes in surprise.

"Just like you were summoned by Raon, I was summoned by this guy."

Kuberad sighed, saying Vulcan had begged him.

"He pestered me so much, you'd think he was still active on the front lines."

He shook his head, saying he got ten letters a day.

"W-What ten? It was only nine!"

Vulcan snorted, saying he couldn't even count properly.

"Enough chatter. Show us the materials. I've had enough of his drunken rambling."

Kuberad motioned for them to get started.

"Understood."

Raon nodded and called Dorian forward.

"Unload everything."

"A-All of it? It might not fit…"

Dorian looked around and hesitated.

"Down to the road should be enough space."

"Got it!"

He nodded and reached into his belly pouch.

RUMBLE—

Dragon bones, fangs, horns, and scales began pouring out endlessly. Being from ancient dragons, they were massive, quickly filling not just the front yard but even the main road of Mirtan Village.

"S-So much?"

Borgos' eyes bulged.

"Red, black, and gold? Three dragons?"

Kuberad trembled.

"There's more than just three. Two of them are ancient dragons. Even the bones hold pure mana!"

Vulcan's eyes sparkled in excitement.

"The swordsmen of Zieghart will soon send in their requests. The materials are more than enough. Please craft your finest works."

Raon folded his hands and bowed.

"Let's warm up with something small first."

"Yeah. I already know what to start with."

Vulcan and Kuberad's gazes landed on the Heavenly Drive and the Soul Requiem Sword.

"Let's take a look at your swords first."

As friends and artisans, they both licked their lips with identical words.

(T/N: Should I start adding some Wrath images here and there? He is too cute lol.)