The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

In Aér’s subspace, located in the city of Luwen, dedicated to harmony.

A member approached Silica, who stood conspicuously in the center of the square.

“Aschel Vert is still in Vellias.”

“Anything special?”

“Nothing yet. Despite the royal family already having returned to the palace, there appears to be no indication that he plans to return.”

“What about the palace side?”

“Our members stationed throughout the capital are monitoring day and night, but so far, no clues about Boris have been found.”

“Keep a closer watch. Report immediately if even the slightest magical energy is detected.”

“Yes, Leader!”

The member accepted the order with a resonant voice.

“And Cyan?”

“Just a while ago, he returned to the Academy with the group that was in Brenu. It seems there were no particular incidents.”

Silica, who had been expressionless throughout the report, twitched her lips for the first time.

As if she almost smiled.

“Leader, shouldn’t we start preparing as well?”

“Preparing for what?”

“No matter how vigilant we are, we can’t predict when or where something about you might spread, especially since we’ve already missed the target. Shouldn’t we prepare to leave the Academy with the members now…”

“I’m the only one who showed my face to him anyway, aren’t I?”

The member was at a loss for words at the swift reply.

“But still…”

“Then it’s not a concern, is it? Even if something happens, I can handle it alone. There’s no need for you to prepare needlessly. I’ll take care of it.”

“But..!”

Before the member could continue, they soon bowed their head.

“Understood, Leader.”

After completing their report, the member left.

Silica, left alone once again, silently stared off into a corner of the space without saying or doing anything.

Despite her words, she was very aware that they were in an incredibly dangerous situation.

The organization, the successor, and even the god of the black mist they served.

Everything that Mist had maintained until now could collapse.

Yet, no sign of worry showed on Silica’s face.

As if she firmly believed in something.

“A regressor…”

Her lips, which had been straight, curved into a semicircle at the mention of a regressor.

* * *

The estate of the Quisel family, located about a day’s journey by carriage from the capital of the empire, Sevellinus.

From early morning, the lips of the estate’s inhabitants were quite busy.

The news had spread that Kundel Quisel, the former lord of the Quisel family and the current principal of the Royal Academy, had returned.

It was a return after about 10 years since he had stepped down from his ducal position.

The attention of everyone, from the ordinary estate inhabitants to the key administrators of the estate, was focused on Kundel.

In the office within the Quisel family’s mansion.

Originally, this was where the head of the family and the lord, ‘Pierrot Quisel,’ the Duke, conducted his business, but today, he stood in front of the desk with his hands neatly folded like an attendant.

Sweat was even dripping from his face.

In front of him was his father, Kundel Quisel, who still wielded significant influence within the family.

“It has been nearly 10 years since I laid down my ducal duties. I heard our family has flourished even more in that time, yet somehow, taxes have increased, and the cost of managing the estate has decreased.”

Kundel looked at his son as if asking for an explanation.

“Well, in recent years, some money has gone towards the royal family…”

“For what reason?”

“Th-there are various reasons, aren’t there? Like maintaining our dignity…”

“Maintaining our dignity in front of the royal family… Is that dignity so important that it costs half of our annual estate management budget?”

Pierrot Quisel, having given up on thinking of excuses, decided to confront the situation head-on.

“You know as much as anyone, why do you ask? Father, you know, don’t you? Every year, the Nephelis Duke family supports the empress’s family with an amount 1.5 times that of ours! The Duke of Nephelis is serious! He really intends to make his bloodline the emperor!”

Kundel remained silent.

“Father, you also wish for Prince Luinel to become the emperor, don’t you? Moreover, I heard that Princess Violet went missing during this frontline tour! Who knows? It could have been the work of the Nephelis family! To prepare for such situations, didn’t you also order to increase the knights for Princess Violet?”

Kundel then snorted.

“Well, I guess I’m not in a position to scold you guys.”

“Yes?”

“Let me ask you, Pierrot. If Luinel could just become the emperor, would you care if every member of the royal family died?”

“Why would you say such a thing?”

“Just answer the question.”

Pierrot didn’t hesitate for long.

“If the Quisel family could produce an emperor, in truth, wouldn’t everything else be irrelevant? Power is originally such a thing, and in the current situation, a peaceful succession to the throne is impossible anyway…”

“Luinel would probably think the same, wouldn’t he?”

“I-I suppose so?”

-Bang!

Unable to contain himself any longer, Kundel finally slammed his fist down on the desk, expressing his suppressed anger.

“A throne tainted with blood is like a gem crafted by demons! How could you forget such a simple truth!”

In Kundel’s eyes, there was a fierce anger akin to murderous intent.

“I will not say anything else. From today onwards, cut off all support to the royal family, no, to Luinel! I will take responsibility!”

Was it not worth further discussion?

Overwhelmed with emotion, Kundel immediately stood up from his seat.

“Where do you intend to go?”

“To the imperial palace!”

There was not a hint of hesitation in his steps as he left the room.

* * *

In the western border of the Empire, within Vellias, at the mansion of the Vert family.

-Knock knock

With a somewhat urgent knock, a man opened the door and entered.

It was Kellin, a subordinate of Aschel.

“Lord Aschel. Another message has arrived from Prince Luinel. It’s about when you plan to return to the palace…”

Despite Kellin’s seriousness, Aschel’s expression was all too relaxed.

Not a hint of unease could be felt as he savored his tea with a refined gesture.

It had been over a week since the royal family, who had been on a tour, had returned to the palace.

Originally, as a retainer, he was supposed to return with the second princess, but Aschel still remained in Vellias.

Officially, it was to deal with the death of Knight Cecilia.

However, after the discovery of the body, he only issued instructions for its handling, showing little interest in what actually happened to her.

Mostly, he sat by the window, lost in thought with a faint smile on his face.

“Shouldn’t you return to the palace now?”

Despite Kellin’s question, Aschel simply looked out the window and smiled, saying nothing.

“Ju-Just in, according to the news that just came in, the head of the Academy, Kundel, has departed from his domain to the palace a little while ago…”

“I’ve given it a lot of thought over the past few days.”

Finally speaking, Aschel made Kellin unconsciously tense up.

“Something was odd. The plans I had made started to deviate and fall apart. It was unlike me to face such complications, given my usual confidence in perfection…”

A bead of cold sweat ran down Kellin’s back.

“So, I thought. Could it be that someone unknown to me knows my plans? Or perhaps someone is blocking the information that should come to me?”

Though Aschel’s words were filled with laughter, Kellin couldn’t bring himself to laugh.

Anyone who heard this far would realize it.

He was suspecting him.

“Has there been any contact from Boris?”

“No…”

“Two years ago, when you volunteered to go to the Academy for me, you returned and said this.”

Aschel’s gaze, which had been outside the window, finally turned to Kellin.

“That a mysterious force was looking after my youngest…”

“Yes. That’s correct…”

“Could it be that Boris has fallen to this mysterious force? Otherwise, there’s no reason for there to be no news at all.”

Kellin had no rebuttal.

“This time, you’re not even saying you’ll go and come back?”

“……!”

“From ancient times, it’s been said that the root of suspicion lies closest to home. Kellin, you have spent a long time with me and are my loyal follower. You’ve done many things for me. Hence, I have always prided myself on knowing you well.”

Kellin avoided eye contact and swallowed dryly.

“However, the person I have seen for the past two years has subtly differed from the Kellin I knew. Overall, you seemed the same, but the details… They were different, as if a false personality was acting in place of the original one.”

“I, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying…”

“Look me in the eyes, Kellin.”

As Kellin reluctantly met Aschel’s gaze once more,

“……!”

A crimson brilliance flashed from Aschel’s eyes.

Feeling threatened, Kellin quickly turned his head away.

“Cough!”

An unknown force then began to choke him.

“And so, I thought. What if, two years ago, someone changed your personality with magic? Not a personality for me, but for someone unknown, someone for whom you are now acting.”

Aschel stood up and slowly approached the suffering Kellin.

“Kellin. Are you truly the one I knew, the one who lived for me?”

While enduring the suffocating pain, Kellin barely managed to speak.

“Lord Aschel! Please do not doubt my loyalty…”

However, the only response to his desperate plea was a vain laugh.

“We shall see about that. Whether the loyalty you claim to have is truly for me…”

‘Do you hear me, Lord Aschel?’

While Aschel was holding Kellin’s chin and sneering, a familiar voice filled his head.

“Boris?”

It was not an auditory hallucination.

This was a part of mental magic, specifically ‘Telepathy,’ a method of communication through thought rather than speech.

Though somewhat unstable, it was a clear ‘Telepathy’ sent from Boris to him.

‘Time is short, so I’ll get straight to the point.’

Without any prelude, Boris moved directly to the main topic.

‘Everything is twisting. If things continue as they are, the black fog of injustice will cover the light.’

“What do you mean? Where are you right now…?”

‘Seek the Holy Sword.’

“……!”

Aschel’s pupils dilated.

(To be continued)