The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

In the thick underbrush, Kaeram gazed indifferently at the research facility, leaning against a tree.

Her face, unlike usual, was frozen cold as ice.

As Cyan entered with Luna and five minutes passed, she did not show any sign of movement, as if she was determined to keep a promise with her master.

Swoosh

Shortly after, an unfamiliar presence was felt behind Kaeram.

Without turning her body, she merely shifted her eyes, and soon, someone’s voice was heard.

[I was quite surprised, Kaeram. I never expected to see you at the academy.]

The voice had a certain resonance.

[I’d like to say the same to you. I never thought I’d see you here. It’s not just surprising; it’s downright revolting.]

Apart from Kaeram, there were no visible forms that could be making any other sound.

Only a small beam of light was leaking out from behind the tree she was leaning on.

Kaeram’s gaze remained fixed on the entrance of the research facility that Cyan had entered.

[How does it feel, waking up after hundreds of years?]

[As always, it’s unpleasant. The world now seems too peaceful for my liking.]

[That’s very like you. Are you satisfied with your new master?]

[Sort of? He’s a bit stiff and clueless, but there’s a cute charm to it, you could say?]

The owner of the voice laughed heartily.

[Hahaha! It must not be easy to satisfy a demonic sword, but the boy named Cyan is quite remarkable,]

The mention of Cyan caused Kaeram’s brows to slightly furrow.

[It’s scary, Kaeram! I can feel your murderous intent from here.]

The owner of the voice seemed unfazed.

[You know why I’ve been waiting here, don’t you? As always, let’s not waste our time on pointless things. No spreading rumors about what either of us is up to, alright?]

[Of course. I swear to Lumendel that I will not disclose your existence to anyone else.]

Despite receiving the answer she wanted, Kaeram’s icy expression did not soften.

[But there’s one thing I’m curious about.]

After a brief silence, the owner of the voice spoke again.

[When do you plan on devouring your current master?]

It was only after this question was posed that Kaeram finally turned around.

Her gaze was undeniably cold and murderous, as if it could freeze flowing blood.

[There’s no need to glare like that! It’s just simple curiosity. Isn’t it in the nature of a demonic sword to devour its owner and steal their power? I’m just wondering when that time would be.]

Kaeram’s lips stiffly curved into a half-smile.

[You’re curious about when I’ll devour my master?]

For a moment, she wore a fresh smile as if nothing had happened,

But then, with a look so vile that it could not possibly be faced by a human, she said,

[Mind your own damn business…]

* * *

Early morning, as dawn’s sunlight seeped through the windows.

“Yaaawn…”

Seemingly half-awake, Emily emerged from her room with a plaintive yawn.

She stretched here and there, trying to loosen up her stiff body, but then,

“Yikes!”

She was startled to find me sitting on the sofa.

“What, what are you doing up, young master? When did you wake up?”

I hadn’t woken up; I hadn’t slept at all.

More accurately, I couldn’t sleep.

“You know how important sleep is at your age, young master? If you keep losing sleep like this, it’ll affect your height and health…”

She seemed to be lecturing, but right now, none of it was reaching my ears.

The scribble I saw a few hours ago was still vividly etched in my mind.

‘The sun trying to maintain its bright light in the pitch-black fog, and the fog watching for an opportunity to engulf the sun… Could it be seen this way?’

It was an additional touch to hear Luna’s words.

I’m not some romance-driven literary girl, but I can’t help but admire the expression.

Frankly, it could be a meaningless scribble, but I can’t shake off the feeling that it’s not.

Why did Boris draw such a scribble in his book?

If Luna’s interpretation of his scribble really symbolizes the sun and the fog, what should I make of it?

The Sun.

A bright sphere always floating in the sky.

It’s also a source that symbolizes the god of light, Lumendel.

No matter how I interpret it, there’s no bad angle to it.

Then what about the fog?

It can be interpreted in many ways.

But my mind is stuck on one track.

Like Lumendel, what if the fog is also related to another god?

The god of the black fog, Aer.

He’s the only entity that comes to mind.

Light and fog,

Lumendel and Aer,

I’m not some theologian studying gods, why do I have to ponder over such things? A sense of self-derision overwhelmed me.

My gaze naturally turned to Kaeram next to me.

[……]

She was sleeping.

She’s been like this ever since we left the research facility.

I thought about waking her up several times, but I just left her be.

It seems she didn’t cause any trouble and was well-behaved, but I really can’t grasp why she insisted on being left alone.

Sigh…

No use racking my brain over it, only sighs come out.

It felt wrong to try to sleep now, so I went outside for some air.

The dawn had passed, and the sun had risen.

Not a trace of fog, not even a cloud in the clear sky.

The sun was so bright, staring at it might burn out my eyes.

“Cy- Cyan?”

I turned immediately at the familiar voice.

At this time, when most students haven’t returned to the academy, there were very few people I could encounter.

Princess Arin and Resimus.

Judging by their attire, it seemed like they were out for a morning exercise.

“Are you going for exercise?”

“Uh, yes…”

Princess Arin avoided eye contact with an awkward smile.

There wasn’t much to say, but perhaps because I was reminded of yesterday’s event, I found it hard to walk away.

“Cy- Cyan, are you out for exercise too?”

“Just out for some morning air.”

“I- I see.”

An awkward silence flowed.

Either of us could have just said goodbye and left, but neither the princess nor I could find the words, as if we were mute.

Finally, unable to bear it, I broke the silence.

“Would you like… to go together?”

* * *

The princess’s morning exercise wasn’t anything special.

It was just a normal morning jog.

However, the distance covered slightly exceeded my expectations.

If we were to measure it by distance, maybe around 10km?

Since we circled the entire academy twice, that seems about right.

It was only upon returning to the starting point, the physical training ground, that her steps finally halted.

“Haa, haa…”

After catching her breath, which she had been holding back, she looked at me and asked,

“Wow, Cyan, you really have great stamina! It doesn’t seem like you’re tired at all!”

“It seems like the princess has greatly improved her stamina as well.”

Truth be told, for me, it was just an exercise in breathing, but that’s just by my standards.

Considering that this delicate girl completed the distance worthy of a regional knight’s squadron without a single break, I don’t think it’s something to be seen as ordinary.

“I’m still lacking though. I just try to improve a little every day.”

The princess waved her hands, dismissing the compliment.

Seeing her growth firsthand, something I had only heard about until now, felt quite strange.

It wasn’t the same feeling I got when I looked at Brian, whom I had raised myself.

Is this why she’s not just any honor student at the academy?

As the conversation dwindled, an awkward atmosphere enveloped us again.

“…!”

Suddenly, my eyes met Resimus’s, who had been following behind.

It seemed she was quite wary of me due to yesterday’s incident.

I looked at the princess again and bowed my head.

“About yesterday… I would like to apologize.”

“Hm?”

She was taken aback by the unexpected apology.

“I have no excuse. Upon reflection, I realized that my behavior towards you, Princess, was utterly unreasonable. If I have offended you, I would like to take this opportunity to…”

“That’s right. You were incredibly arrogant yesterday.”

Caught off guard by her unexpected reply, I involuntarily raised my head.

What did I just hear?

After a strange silence lasting about 5 seconds,

A small smile formed on her stiff lips, and soon she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Isn’t this the response you were hoping for?”

Showing unyielding resolve and dignity, traits befitting a princess, regardless of the situation.

At this moment, the princess showed me such a side of herself.

The moment I realized her intentions, I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle too.

“That’s correct.”

It felt like the first time I had been caught off guard by her.

“You seem quite surprised? It’s the first time I’ve seen such a flustered expression on Cyan.”

“You’re more mischievous than I thought.”

Pleased with having teased me, the princess wore a lovely smile.

“You might not think much of me, but I am always grateful to you, Cyan.”

“Me?”

Even I was surprised enough to tilt my head in confusion.

“No matter how we met or what happened, in the end, Cyan, you’ve shown me how to live my life. Thanks to you, I feel myself growing every day, becoming a new me different from yesterday’s…”

I scratched my face, looking into the void, not knowing how to respond.

While it’s true I provided guidance, ultimately, it’s her who walks the path.

If my advice can change a person’s life for the better, that’s wonderful.

But considering I’ve only seen the princess as a means to an end, do I really deserve this gratitude?

“My feelings for you haven’t changed, Cyan. I’ll continue trying to make you mine. So, I hope you’ll keep saying things like you did yesterday, making it possible for you to like me.”

An inward chuckle escaped me.

That’s why I have no choice but to call you foolish.

However, what appeared on my lips was not denial, but a helpless smile.

“Will you continue to do so?”

The only answer I could provide was neither affirmative nor negative, just a vague response.

“I’ll try…”

The princess smiled broadly, as if that was enough for her.

She might still seem as foolish as ever, but perhaps she’s become a bit stronger.

“You all are quite diligent early in the morning.”

The smile broke in an instant.

With fists clenched in what had been open hands and a feeling of hairs standing on end throughout my body, I suppressed the emotions within me and slowly shifted my gaze.

“Good morning. Princess Arin, and… student Cyan.”

(To be continued)