The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Every morning at 7 AM,

He appears on the bustling streets of Axillium to start his day.

From simple tasks like moving cargo to solving complex problems like healing and artifact creation with magic—tasks that are difficult to perform with human strength alone—he earns a corresponding wage.

All the wages he earns are used to buy food for the day, which is then entirely distributed among the residents of the slums.

This has been Boris’s personal routine every single day for the past week.

It was information I simply couldn’t believe, as much as I tried.

Even the agents stationed in Axillium had initially not realized that he was Boris.

Well, I don’t find it surprising.

Even to me, apart from the face, the tone of voice, personality, and even specific details like the way he walks feel so different that it’s hard to believe this is the Boris L’Hellem I knew.

But no matter how much one hides their appearance, it’s impossible to hide their true nature.

The scent of magic that distinctly wafts from behind that false mask is proof of that.

There’s a saying that a talent truly becomes recognized as such only when someone acknowledges its exact worth.

I knew since my previous life that Boris was from this slum.

His shameful past involved being despised and denied even basic human treatment because he was from the cursed Clan of Black Blood.

However, exactly two years ago, when Prince Luinel visited the city on an inspection, he discovered Boris and took him under his wing, allowing him to shine. After catching the eye of that devilish child, Boris began to fully utilize his abilities.

Eventually, he rose to the position of Chairman of the Magic Academy, becoming an indispensable figure in the empire.

What life he led here and how the residents viewed him is honestly none of my business.

And I have no particular desire to know.

However, seeing how most of the slum’s residents treat him with familiar warmth, as if they have known him for a long time, I can somewhat guess that his life here wasn’t much different before.

Look at the faces of the residents, lost in ecstasy, almost as if they’ve lost their minds.

The term “savior” really does suit him well.

It’s a situation where I simply can’t extinguish the twin flames of curiosity burning in my eyes.

[I’m back, master.]

Kaeram appeared with a not-so-pleasant expression after having been away for a moment.

“How was it?”

[Not at all~! Not even as much as dirt under a fingernail. It’s not that its energy isn’t felt just because it’s hidden somewhere. I assure you, even if you search the entire slum, let alone the city, you won’t find a trace of the Scripture Hiskreia.]

The energy of the Scripture Hiskreia is not felt, and Boris, the owner of the scripture, is showing a completely different appearance, as if he’s someone else entirely.

However, this doesn’t mean he isn’t the Boris I know.

The throbbing scars in my heart continue to signal that it’s indeed him.

Moreover, didn’t he outright reveal himself by using the name Boris L’Hellem?

Then, there’s only one hypothesis that can be formed.

This is not Boris’s original personality.

It’s likely another personality created by magic, not his original one.

Just like how I used magic to change the personality of Kellin, who was a subordinate of Aschel, this too must be a newly created personality taking over the body, caused by some power.

The question then is who changed this cunning personality…

[Whoever thought of this really took creativity to a new level.]

“It’s so creative that it’s making me nauseous…”

[What will you do, master? Killing that clueless shell probably won’t satisfy you, right?]

Unable to deny it, I could only bite my lip in frustration.

I dare say, there are probably less than five people on this continent who can create a personality in a manner similar to my ‘Shadow’s Personality.’

Isn’t it obvious?

Creating a new personality that didn’t exist in the world is much harder than erasing thousands of existing ones.

It’s not something that can be done just because one has vast magical power or a high magic grade.

Even I, with my phenomenal attribute levels, need to pour almost all my energy into such magic, so it’s unlikely a wandering magician could have done it by chance.

“If it’s the power of the Scripture, it would be more than possible…”

I particularly don’t want to suspect anyone else.

Boris intentionally changed his own personality.

Perhaps he predicted how I would react when I faced him after such a change.

Knowing him, it’s exactly the kind of thing he would do.

Yes, as much as I dislike to admit it, I’m willing to acknowledge it.

Your audacious plan worked perfectly.

I don’t have the heart to kill this changed Boris L’Hellem.

Killing a fool who, although identical on the outside, can’t remember what he’s done, won’t erase the scars of hatred etched in my heart.

Even if he were killed, there’s no certainty that his original personality would perish along with him.

What I must do is find Boris’s real personality.

Moreover, I need to find the location of the scripture and completely annihilate everything about it.

Otherwise, there would have been no point in having been so bold before the Leader.

Night falls even in the slums where no light enters.

As the sun sets and the dense shadow of darkness covers the slums, one by one, those who had stayed in the haven of the savior began to return.

A shabby hovel, too awkward to even call a house.

Even compared to other houses in the slums, it was much more miserable and full of loneliness.

To me, however, all of it felt utterly despicable.

I entered without hesitation.

Books piled up in every direction, reaching the ceiling, ill-suited to the humble shack.

It reminded me of an esteemed scholar’s room.

Among those numerous books, a person showing a pitiful back view.

“I waited for your return.”

He knew it was me just by the sound, turning his head immediately.

“You waited for me?”

“Yes…….”

“What did you think I was going to do?”

“Weren’t you coming to kill me?”

It would be ridiculous to deny it after causing such a commotion during the day.

“Do you know why I would want to kill you?”

“I do not know…….”

It’s disgusting.

He closely resembles the target of my long-desired vengeance, yet his inner being is completely different.

The feeling is so uniquely repulsive that it’s almost refreshing.

“I know it’s a shameless question, but still, I’ll ask. By any chance, have I committed some grave wrongdoing to you in the past?”

It’s more than just shameless, it’s an incredibly impudent question.

“If that’s the case, I sincerely apologize here and now.”

Eventually, he went as far as to kneel down and bow his head to the ground.

“However, regrettably, I have no memories of you at all, nor do I remember anything that happened over the past few years.”

“You have no memory?”

“Yes! Though you might not believe it, I suffer from a severe memory disorder…”

Memory disorder.

After all, if his personality had changed, it’s not too far-fetched to think that he wouldn’t remember what he did during that time.

That is, assuming he wasn’t aware that his personality had changed.

“What’s the last thing you remember?”

“Two years ago, when His Imperial Highness Prince Luinel Severus visited Axillium on a goodwill tour, I sought him out to request support for this neglected slum. But the moment I saw His Highness’s face, my memory cuts off. When I came to, I was back in the slum, and upon asking around, I was told that two years had passed…”

“When did your memory return?”

“It seems to have been just under a month ago…”

This coincides roughly with the time I lost him in Luwen.

Did his personality change after he escaped using the power of the holy scripture?

The personality I knew of him and another personality I’m now facing.

At this point, I’m starting to wonder which one is truly him, becoming confused.

Why am I even confused about such a thing in the first place?

I’m annoyed just facing him; why not just kill him and be done with everything?

“You may kill me if you wish. But please, do not harm the innocent residents of this slum! They have committed no crimes!”

Seeing me maintain a grim silence, he spoke again.

“You may already know this, but the people here, including myself, have been treated as though our very existence is a crime, suffering persecution and disdain. Called a cursed clan with black blood flowing through our veins…”

His eyes, desperate as if making an appeal, opened wide as he expressed his sorrow.

“But that’s absurd! Just because we inherited the blood of a past generation we never knew, we’re treated as criminals!”

My gaze involuntarily drifted to the white bandages wrapped around his neck.

The era before the War of Demonic Supremacy.

A clan that committed a grievous sin that could never be forgiven, incurring the wrath of the gods, marked by the black blood that flows through their bodies as a sign of their sin.

Just as the continent is rooted in the taboo that one must not follow the god of black mist, these people have been considered inherently impure.

Perhaps we have an unintended commonality.

But.

“These people are humans just like you! They have the right to happiness and sorrow just as much as any human!”

That doesn’t serve as your absolution.

The same humans?

Did the you from your past life think so?

Even as I crossed the threshold of death numerous times, sacrificing everything for you, you never trusted me.

Treating me not even as a human but as a disposable doll, just watching me with malicious intent.

Whatever your clan may be, whatever blood runs through your veins, it’s none of my concern.

You are simply a target of vengeance, someone who plunged a knife of betrayal into the back of one who had dedicated and sacrificed everything.

Enough of these worthless concerns.

There’s no need to hesitate foolishly any longer.

Regardless of where your true personality lies, I no longer wish to face and talk to your detestable visage.

Just as my hand was slowly reaching towards Kaeram,

“Boris!”

A gruff male voice called out from outside the shack.

Startled, Boris quickly went outside.

“What, what is it?”

“Lord Galas is looking for you! There’s no time to delay, come out at once!”

Judging by the sounds, there were about five of them.

Given the heavy clanking of metal, they seemed to be knights from Axillium, not residents of the slum.

But who? Galas?

“Why would the lord be looking for me?”

“You’ll know when you get there.”

The knights, without explaining the reason, just seemed intent on taking him away by force.

I remember names for generally two reasons.

Either they were closely related to me in my past life, or,

They were people I had killed.

Galas Aiven.

A noble closely associated with Prince Luinel Severus and the lord of Axillium.

Also, one of the targets I had dealt with during a purification operation.

(To be continued)