The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Standing alone in the center of the subspace, Silica seemed as immovable as stone. Yet, her inner self was more anxious than ever before.

The slight tremble in her crossed arms, her eyes darting left and right, and the sweat trickling down her neck to her chest were almost unprecedented since she had taken up the assassin’s sword.

Her heightened state of mind hardly subsided.

Amidst this, a member from across the space rushed over to deliver the awaited news.

“Lady! We have found the successor’s location!”

“Where?”

Silica asked immediately, without any delay.

“It’s Brenu! It seems they’ve gone there to retrieve his kin, just as we expected!”

Despite having pinpointed the location, the expression on the member’s face who brought the news was not bright.

Trying to calm himself with a gulp, he continued in an uneasy tone.

“The- the knights of the Imperial Army who had been tailing them seem to have been dealt with before we could step in! Not only the Imperial Army’s knights, but representatives from the Garam Academy are also heading to Brenu to capture the successor…”

“Always acting on his own whim…”

Anger surged within Silica, grinding her teeth in frustration.

Regardless of the situation, their mission remained clear: to protect the successor.

“Call in the members from other territories to gather in Brenu immediately! Nothing else matters! The priority is the evacuation of the successor, no, of Cyan…!”

[Silica…]

As she tried to calm her excited heart to give orders, a divine voice echoed within her.

“Lord Aer?”

There was no further word from the owner of the space.

This was a sign for her to quickly come to the altar. Realizing this, Silica closed her eyes in frustration.

“Put the orders on hold. Wait until I return!”

Without looking back, Silica hurried towards the altar.

Upon arriving, the god of black mist, Lord Aer, awaited her with a leisurely posture.

[You seem to be in quite in a hurry.]

He began with a teasing smile.

“Just tell me your request briefly, Lord Aer. You know how critical the situation is right now, don’t you?”

[I know. Of course, I know, Silica. That’s exactly why I’m holding you up like this.]

As if to tease her urgency, he didn’t deny that he was deliberately delaying her.

[Why do you insist on protecting the successor?]

“Forgive me, but I don’t understand your question. I am the leader of the organization Mist, serving under you, Lord Aer. Do you think I would simply watch, contentedly, as the successor, whom we exist to protect on your behalf, falls into danger?”

[An organization that exists for me. You and your group are consistent, both then and now. But who to blame? Perhaps the blame lies with those who strut around as supreme beings, yet can’t overcome even the small fears within their hearts, leading to this predicament.]

Aer continued with inscrutable words, shaking his head.

[Then, as your master, I command you. From this moment on, you and all members of Mist are to cease your actions and stand by as the successor faces danger.]

“…!”

Silica’s eyes widened, unable to contain her shock.

“What do you mean? Why would you give such an order?”

[Because the successor wishes for it.]

Aer responded as if it were nothing significant.

[Instead, I will give you a solo mission.]

Aer stood from the altar and approached Silica.

[Never forget, Silica. You do not exist for me. I am here for you. That’s why I also wish to grant what the child desires.]

Hearing his words, Silica couldn’t respond with any objections.

[Just watch. See how that child will rid themselves of the beings of light that bind him.]

The suddenly emerged perfect successor.

It seemed Aer was looking forward to seeing what the successor would do next, his gaze filled with a complex mix of emotions.

* * *

In the desolate training grounds of the academy, a chill breeze roamed.

Kundel carefully approached Arin, who stood alone in that vast space, her silhouette ethereal.

In her hand, she clutched a wanted poster, rolled tightly.

He wanted to offer some words of comfort, but resignation, as if she had lost everything, already clouded her eyes.

Comfort seemed meaningless in this situation.

“People are said to have two faces. One is a mask, adorned with lies for others to see, and the other, the true self, crafted for one’s own sake.”

It was clear to anyone that this was about Cyan.

Weakly, Arin opened her mouth to ask.

“What kind of face did Cyan show to the Chairman?”

“I can’t give you a definite answer. I thought we were close, but in the end, I knew nothing about him.”

Kundel sighed softly, feeling a sense of emptiness.

“With the hope of making Cyan mine, I have come to this training ground every day for the past two years. Aiming to grow beyond the person I was yesterday, and more so tomorrow.”

“…”

“Cyan was the one who offered me a chance to become the emperor, and I wished for him to walk that path with me. It was a shameless request when I think about it. Cyan could do so much for me, but there was nothing I could do for him.”

She had been running all this while to bridge even a small gap between them.

Even if it couldn’t be completely closed, Arin firmly believed that the process itself was immensely meaningful.

But now,

“It all seems meaningless. I can no longer make Cyan mine, nor can I be his. Was the Cyan I met and longed for the real Cyan I knew?”

Kundel could offer no answer, only maintaining a painful silence.

“It feels like everything has become pointless. I’m back to being the person I was three years ago, unable to do anything or follow any path.”

Arin desperately fought back tears, not wanting to prove that nothing had changed by crying.

“Then, would you go to verify?”

Kundel suddenly made a proposal to her.

“What do you mean?”

“I just received news that he has appeared. He’s in the southern city of Brenu of the empire.”

Arin’s pupils dilated suddenly.

“Whatever his identity may be, he is him, and you are you. Whether the path he offered you came from sincerity as a cruel reality, or it was a beautifully adorned illusion, why not go and see for yourself?”

Struck by the significant proposition, Arin found herself speechless.

Gazing into her anxious eyes, the Chairman asked once more.

“Will you come with me to meet Cyan?”

* * *

I gazed intently at the red lettering of the wanted poster, listing my supposed crimes.

So, they’re planning to pin this all on me, even though it’s not entirely unrelated to me?

It feels like I’m being treated not just as a criminal, but as a demon.

The real demon is somewhere else, though.

I didn’t feel angry or unjustly treated.

After all, this wasn’t unexpected.

Lowering the wanted poster, I lifted my head to meet the gaze of six eyes staring intently at me.

Their eyes were filled with various negative emotions, including doubt and fear, except for our little one.

“Yo- Young Master, what does that wanted poster say? You didn’t do those things, did you?”

“No.”

I dismissed it without a moment’s hesitation.

“We don’t have much time. I’ll just ask. Choose.”

They all blinked at the sudden option presented to them.

“Whether to follow me and leave this place or to escape on your own and start a new life. Whatever it is, don’t feel pressured, just choose.”

Despite my words not to feel pressured, Emily and Brian’s faces had already turned as red as inflated balloons.

“What do you mean, all of a sudden?!”

“It’s not like I’m telling you to live like a beggar. I can provide enough funds. Just think of it as forgetting everything related to me and starting anew.”

“How can you push us like this all of a sudden? Why would you even say that……?”

-Thud

Unlike the jumping Emily, Brian suddenly knelt and bowed his head.

“I, Brian Kendrick, have lived with the same unwavering loyalty to the Young Master since I first pledged my allegiance at the Academy! Whether the path you take leads to heaven or hell, I will follow you to the ends of the earth!”

Does he think he’s the last surviving knight of some country?

If he’s going to go, just saying so would be less burdensome……

“I want to follow Papa too! I don’t want to live in a place without Papa!”

Nana also raised her hand, wanting to follow.

As always, I gently stroked her hair with a bright smile and asked.

“Papa might not be able to take care of you as much as before. I might not be able to give you as many tasty snacks. Is that okay?”

“Yes! I don’t need snacks! I’m happiest when I’m with Papa!”

Right, if those pure, sparkling eyes contained any deceit, that would truly mean the world was at fault.

I was worried she might have even a small concern, but it seems my worries were unnecessary.

The eyes of the two who had made their choice naturally turned to a certain spot.

“What- what’s going on? Why is everyone looking at me like that?”

It seems I’ve inadvertently given her an unwanted pressure, though I had no intention to rush her.

Her faces flushed red, and suddenly, she screamed at me.

“I was the first to be by your side, Young Master! I cannot allow my pride to accept anyone else serving you!”

I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

Seeing their determined eyes, it didn’t seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision.

I wasn’t exactly surprised by the current situation, but unexpectedly, I find myself in quite a good mood.

It’s definitely not the moment to smile, yet my lips twitch involuntarily.

“One last time, I’ll ask. You don’t regret the choice you’ve made, do you?”

All three nodded their heads.

“Then from now on, there’s only one thing you need to do. Once we step out of this door, follow me exactly ten steps behind, no more, no less. No matter what happens around us, don’t pay any attention; just silently follow.”

“And what about me, Papa?”

“Our little one is…”

I slightly moved my hand to manifest mana, then brought it close to her nose.

Inhaling the white powder that spread from my hand, she slowly closed her eyes and fell into a dreamland.

I gently caught her as she fell and handed her over to Brian.

There’s no need to expose her to anything that’s not pleasant.

Our little one just needs to enjoy her journey in dreamland.

With all the minor preparations done, it’s time to leave.

I stepped forward towards the door again.

[Our master. Your face looks as solemn as someone heading to battle.]

“The excitement is all over your face, isn’t it?”

[Oh, did I get caught? Well, how can I pretend otherwise with such an interesting situation ahead?]

Kaeram looked around with a world of satisfaction in her smile.

[You promised to entertain me, didn’t you?]

“Yes. I’m the only one who can give you that kind of pleasure.”

[You’ve lived once before, so you know very well. I’m a magic sword with a lot of greed. Once a desire is satisfied, I’ll crave even more pleasure the next time.]

I know. I know all too well.

The nature of a magic sword is to eventually consume its owner if its thirst for pleasure is not satisfied.

Therefore, my beloved sword will not be able to consume me.

The sweet pleasure that will be experienced from now on will be something no one but I can provide.

With a smile of ecstasy on my lips, I finally stepped outside.

(To be continued)