The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman

'He's opposing it…'

Raon narrowed his eyes at Karoon.

'Why?'

He also believed that the Light Wind Division still lacked a few things to qualify as a Palace.

He wasn't even aiming for the title of Palace Master, so he didn't mind if the promotion was delayed. What intrigued him was Karoon's reason for objecting.

'He's the one who proposed it, yet now he's opposing it.'

Lately, Karoon hadn't been trying to keep him in check. If anything, he'd been helping.

For such a man to oppose a promotion he himself proposed—there had to be a reason.

"True Martial Palace Master."

"You proposed the agenda and now object to it? What's your reason?"

His voice was low, yet simmering with fury.

"That's right! You're the one who said to promote the Light Wind Division!"

Balder stood in front of Karoon, shaking his fist.

"You're not senile, so why are you kicking down your own proposal?"

He shouted at him to come to his senses and shook his shoulder.

"Karoon proposed it?"

"Huh, what a twist…"

"Then why propose it and oppose it yourself?"

Even the other executives tilted their heads, unable to understand Karoon's actions.

"True Martial Palace Master."

Glenn gripped the armrest of his throne hard enough to crush it as he called Karoon's name.

"State your reason."

His eyes were dry, void of patience for jokes.

"Division Leader Chad was correct."

Karoon pushed Balder aside and stepped forward.

"After ascending to Transcendence, the Light Wind Leader achieved numerous feats, and the division has supported him admirably. In terms of fame, no unit has expanded Zieghart's renown as much as they have."

Despite opposing the promotion, Karoon acknowledged Raon and the Light Wind Division's accomplishments.

"And it's not just achievements. The leader is a Transcendent, the vice-leader is a grand master, and most members are Masters. Their martial strength alone warrants recognition."

"Then why oppose it?!"

Balder slammed the pillar behind him in frustration.

"Personnel."

Karoon slowly closed and reopened his eyes.

"The current Light Wind Division has just over thirty members. Even for a Division, that's too few. No matter how skilled, accidents are bound to happen with such low numbers."

While he acknowledged their strength and record, he shook his head at their lack of manpower.

"Hmm…"

Raon nodded calmly.

'Can't argue with that.'

If they were to become a Palace, they needed more people.

After the first selection ceremony, only Yua, Yulius, and Mark Gorton had joined the division.

As a Palace, they might be tasked with several missions at once, so additional personnel were essential.

"To be a Palace of Zieghart, you must be able to handle five or more missions at once. Even if the team leaders are top Masters, it's difficult to assign them across all missions with so few subordinates."

Karoon continued, stating only plain facts without emotion.

"Well… that is true."

Division Leader Chad nodded as he lowered the document in his hand.

"There may be fewer missions right now, but war will soon bring a flood of new ones."

He lightly crumpled the paper he was holding, admitting the division's numbers were lacking.

"Personnel, huh…"

Glenn let out a low hum, as if he couldn't refute Karoon's point either.

"Therefore…"

Karoon took another step forward and raised his hand.

"I believe at least thirty more swordsmen must be added to the Light Wind Division for it to qualify as a Palace. If they're seasoned warriors, perhaps fewer would suffice."

He calmly lowered his hand after stating his opinion.

"Well, you're not wrong…"

Balder frowned as he looked at Karoon.

"But the selection ceremony ended last year. It'll take years before another one's held. We could promote them now and—"

"That's unacceptable."

Karoon shook his head firmly.

"This isn't just any force. It's a Palace of Zieghart. The face of the family. It cannot be handled lightly."

He displayed a sharp gaze, as if urging them to think clearly.

"He's not wrong."

Glenn nodded slowly, agreeing with Karoon.

"However…"

Karoon glanced at Raon and slightly lifted his chin.

"It would be a waste to ignore the feats of a man who slain two ancient dragons, secured an alliance with Seiphia, and gave all Zieghart swordsmen the chance to wield dragonbone swords."

He looked up at Glenn and joined his hands.

"Therefore, please allow another force to be incorporated into the Light Wind Palace."

Rather than waiting for recruits, he was requesting that an existing force be absorbed into the Light Wind Division.

"Hmm…"

Glenn exhaled a thin breath as he seemed to grasp Karoon's intent at last.

"Not a bad idea."

He nodded as if accepting Karoon's suggestion.

"But since this has only just come up, both sides should be given time to consider."

"There is one force that already expressed their wish to join."

Karoon raised his hand, saying there was already a candidate.

"What?"

"Huh?"

Raon and Glenn widened their eyes.

"The Iron Division, currently on assignment, has expressed their desire to be under the Light Wind Palace."

Karoon lowered his hand, saying he had already spoken with the Iron Division Leader.

"When did you…"

"Before they left for the mission."

Karoon nodded calmly, as though he had planned all of this from the beginning.

'The Iron Division…'

Raon narrowed his eyes at Karoon.

'Then there's no way he's a traitor.'

If Karoon had said he would send new personnel, Raon would've refused outright.

But the Iron Division's Leader, Trevin, was a trustworthy comrade. Even when the entire house looked down on him, Trevin treated him like a direct descendant and even supported him in the Arrian family.

If it had been anyone else, Raon might have suspected ulterior motives, but not with Trevin and the Iron Division.

"The Iron Division, huh…"

Glenn nodded and turned to Raon.

"That's a good fit. The Iron Division and Light Wind Division have fought together many times."

"Yes. I've both helped them and received help from them."

Raon agreed and nodded.

"Then it seems both sides are in favor."

Glenn smiled faintly.

"Um, we'd also like to join!"

"How do we apply?"

"Please give us a chance!"

Perhaps because the Iron Division had spoken up first, other quiet executives began raising their hands, saying they wanted to join the Light Wind Palace too.

Some among them were stronger than the Iron Division, but Raon wasn't particularly drawn to them. When it came to new comrades, trust mattered more than strength.

"Seriously, you should've just said that from the start! Why stir up such a grim atmosphere?"

Balder frowned and poked Karoon in the side.

"Look at those plump cheeks! You came ready to go all out for your nephew, didn't you?"

"Shut your mouth."

Karoon frowned and gave Balder a light jab in the side.

"Guh!"

Though the blow didn't seem that strong, Balder doubled over clutching his abdomen.

"T-then the matter of promoting the Light Wind Division to a Palace will proceed once the Iron Division returns."

Division Leader Chad sighed in relief and raised the second document.

"The second topic concerns securing space for the increasing number of wounded…"

While listening to Chad, Raon looked toward Karoon, who stood with arms crossed, gazing straight ahead as if he had nothing more to say.

'How do I put this…'

The man had grown. (T/N: Yeah! He did! BEST.CHARACTER.DEVELOPMENT.EVER)

Raon's first impression of Karoon was that of a petty man—so narrow-minded it was laughable. But now he seemed larger than life, even beyond martial prowess.

'People really can change…'

Raon smiled faintly as he watched Karoon walk a path opposite that of Derus.

—

"True Martial Palace Master."

After the meeting, Raon approached Karoon.

"…."

Karoon turned his cold gaze toward him just as he was leaving the chamber.

"What is it?"

He lowered his brows slightly, asking what Raon wanted.

"Thank you for helping us promote to a Palace."

Raon bowed, thanking him for preparing what he himself could not.

"No need for thanks."

Karoon shook his head calmly.

"It's only natural for the Light Wind Division to become a Palace. And a Palace moving with such few numbers would make us look bad, so I stopped it ahead of time."

He turned around, saying it wasn't done for their sake.

"Even so, you were the only one who thought that far ahead."

Raon bowed again with sincerity.

"If you really mean that…"

Karoon turned back briefly, then slowly spoke.

"Keep pushing forward, even after becoming a Palace."

With those words, he left the audience chamber.

"Huh, what's with him? Did he eat something weird? Did he get swapped with someone outside?"

Balder groaned as he held his aching waist where Karoon had struck him.

"You feel the same, right?"

"Yes. It is surprising."

Raon smiled and nodded.

"Ugh, I don't know how a finger jab can hurt this much. Help me out here."

Balder leaned on him, asking for support.

"Of course."

Raon bowed to Glenn on the throne and then supported Balder as they left the chamber.

"Listen well. Being a Palace Master is more work than you think. First, you'll need a new building, and the kids don't listen for crap…"

Glenn watched Karoon walking ahead, with Raon and Balder behind him, and his aged eyes quivered.

"Karoon siding with Raon… and Raon supporting Balder…"

Sheryl stepped forward, smiling faintly.

"I never thought I'd see something like this. You really can't predict how life will unfold."

She exhaled softly, amused.

"I feel the same."

Roenn chuckled and nodded.

"I never imagined young master Raon would become close to those two."

"To be honest, I thought the lord's parenting was a complete failure."

Sheryl lifted her eyes slightly.

"But thanks to your grandson, even your parenting succeeded."

She laughed, clearly pleased by Karoon and Balder's transformation.

"Indeed. The grandchildren have always been outstanding."

Roenn smiled gently, mentioning Raon, Burren, and Martha.

"Hmm…"

Even so, Glenn's stern expression did not ease, despite all the praise.

"My lord?"

Sheryl tilted her head, puzzled.

"Is something wrong?"

"Raon…"

Glenn bit his lip slightly and continued.

"He doesn't… like Karoon more than me, does he? I don't think I've ever seen him smile like that at me…" (T/N: WTH Gramps!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA)

His hand trembled as he gripped the throne, worried.

"Ah…"

"Haha…"

Sheryl and Roenn lowered their heads, speechless.

—

"Try it, sis."

Raon stepped back and nodded.

"Okay!"

Sia nodded confidently and swung the wooden sword above her head.

Fwoooosh!

The gust from her blade split both the ground and the lake in front of it.

"Well done."

Raon smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.

"Your control was perfect."

Unlike before, Sia had managed her aura so that the force didn't spill out of the lake.

To think she mastered aura control in just a week—her body had indeed reached the realm of a Grandmaster.

"Really?"

Her eyes sparkled as she looked up, wanting more praise.

"Yes. It was perfect."

"Hehe."

She scratched the back of her head, pleased.

"Alright, let's try horizontal slashes next."

"Okay!"

With renewed confidence, Sia launched into horizontal slashes, diagonal strikes, and thrusts.

Her swordplay warped the lake's surface—comparable to Raon's own when he was a Grandmaster.

"How was that?"

"Impressive…"

Raon slowly nodded.

'Truly.'

He only wanted to teach her aura control so she wouldn't hurt others, but she was already expressing the sword's essence.

Even though her memories as the Green King were gone, her body was recalling the sword.

-Just a little more instruction and she'll regain her original skill.

Wrath nodded, saying her talent was extraordinary.

'I think so too.'

As Wrath said, with a bit of proper guidance, she could soon return to the level of a top Grandmaster.

'Wait… that would make her the youngest in the annex but also the strongest?'

Raon glanced at Sylvia and Edgar watching from the side.

Sylvia's skills had improved with consistent training, but Edgar was still recovering.

If Sia advanced quickly, Edgar might become the weakest in the annex.

'That could be interesting.'

-Oh, the dignity of a father…

Wrath groaned pitifully.

'I should keep teaching her while I'm still here.'

Even Zieghart wasn't safe while war raged. He had to teach her properly so she could protect herself and the annex.

-What will you teach her?

Wrath narrowed his eyes with interest.

'I've got just the right one for her.'

Raon smiled and approached Sia.

"Sis. The next sword technique you'll learn is [Fangs of Insanity]."

The [Fangs of Insanity] was the sword of sensation—perfect for someone with talent beyond her own.

"[Fangs of Insanity]? What does that mean?"

Sia tilted her head curiously.

"Well, it's a sword style that embodies a puppy biting with its fangs."

He couldn't exactly say it meant a mad beast, so he softened it to "puppy."

"Puppy!"

She nodded eagerly, loving it.

"Alright, let's start with how to use it…"

Raon began explaining the formula and basic method of the [Fangs of Insanity].

Her memory was sharp—she learned it in one go and began practicing the technique on her own.

-She's already better than you.

'Exactly.'

Raon nodded. As Wrath said, her talent already surpassed his own.

They practiced until sunset. Just as Raon was about to end the lesson, three pigeons flew in through the darkening sky.

They panted heavily as if they had flown nonstop.

"So cute!"

Sia dropped her sword and hugged the exhausted pigeons.

'Let's see…'

Raon pulled the letters from their legs. All three letters said the same thing:

'An unbreakable sword has been completed. I forged a sword that will turn even grudges into your power. A devil has descended.'

Vulcan, Kuberad, and Borgos had each written to say their swords were finished.

The wording alone was enough to send chills down his spine.

"This is…"

Raon smacked his lips and looked up at the shimmering sky.

"Looks like we're in for something incredible."