The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Nothing to boast about, but there was always a story I heard wherever I went.

My face looks stern, always seems dark.

I never quite understood why people said such things about my face, but looking at this girl in front of me, I felt like I might understand a bit of what those words meant.

She had short ponytail hair with a refreshing sky-blue color, and a face so cute that a father with a daughter would be scared to show it outside.

Yet, even those with malicious intentions would stop and not run away in fear upon seeing her eyes.

Her eyes were so dark, almost sinister, that I wondered how the others who had seen my eyes so far felt.

Did they feel the same way?

Do I know her? Not at all.

She’s a complete stranger I’ve never seen before in my life, passing by in this world.

Despite that, this girl just called my name.

That means she knows me, right?

“Do you know me?” she said as she came to our secluded table, so I calmly asked back.

“Yes. You’re a third-year student at the Royal Academy. There’s no way I wouldn’t know someone famous from the academy.”

Her words were calm yet firm.

Frankly, famous?

Probably just for not attending classes, right?

I didn’t show any signs and replied.

“Oh, well, famous, you say. Are you also a student at the academy?”

“Yes, I’m a second-year. My name is… Luna.”

She’s not a freshman if she’s in the second year, so why did she omit her surname and just mention her name?

Was there a need for that?

“Sorry, I’m not the type to remember every underclassman’s face.”

“It’s okay. To be honest, I’m not in class very often because of my weak health.”

She was even kindly telling me a fact I didn’t even ask about, so I felt a little bewildered.

“Since you called me an underclassman, can I call you a senior? Senior Cyan?”

As she said that, she suddenly sat down in the empty seat.

Is this being affable or just shameless?

I’m not particularly concerned about honorifics, so I just let it go for now.

Her eyes, as she sat down, turned to look at Nana and Brian.

“….!”

Her last name wasn’t mentioned, so I don’t know which family she’s from, but since she’s from the Royal Academy, she’s likely to be from a noble family.

Nana and Brian’s shoulders suddenly stiffened.

“Well, you seem to be like a maid and a guardian knight. Seems like you get along well? Having a meal together in one place…”

“Well, sort of. There’s no need to sit separately, right?”

“True. Despite appearances, there seem to be quite a few of you.”

It was a bit confusing whether it was a compliment or a sarcasm, but seeing her eyes shimmering a bit, it didn’t seem like an insult.

“Excuse me.”

Two waiters approached to serve the prepared dishes.

Since there were more than ten plates, it took a while to serve them.

Luna stared at the table full of food.

“Are you going to eat all of this?”

“W-well, yes. My servants tend to eat a lot…”

It was actually food for Nana.

“I’ll enjoy my meal, sir…”

Nana, as always, began to eat the prepared dishes with relish.

The girl named Luna seemed quite intrigued by her eating habits, looking at Nana’s dining mannerisms with a slightly uplifted gaze.

Now that I looked closely, the robe she wore seemed oddly familiar.

It was a shade of blue similar to the light emitted when manifesting mana.

Though I hadn’t seen the back of her robe yet, those who wore such elegant clothes were rare on this continent, restricted to one place.

“You’re from the Garam Kingdom’s Magic Society, aren’t you?”

Luna replied with a dry expression.

“Yes, that’s right. How did you know?”

“I just recognized it from the clothes you’re wearing. Those mana robes aren’t something you can wear just anywhere.”

“You have sharp eyes.”

There was a hint of appreciation in her slightly raised eyebrows.

“But from what I’ve heard, senior usually don’t leave the academy even during vacation. What brings you here to the Imperial Capital?”

For a moment, I wondered if it was appropriate for a stranger from another country to ask such a question.

Actually, shouldn’t I be the one asking?

Although it felt strange, I decided to answer since she asked.

“I received an invitation from the Imperial family to attend a banquet. That’s why I’m here.”

She unexpectedly nodded, her head tilting slightly.

“That’s surprising. I thought senior would be a loner who sticks to their room and wouldn’t come to places like this. Still, I’m glad to see you here.”

Why would that be a relief to you?

Just as I was about to ask, she pulled out a familiar-looking piece of paper from her pocket.

“I was also invited to the royal banquet. To be honest, I really didn’t want to come, but my grandfather insisted. It’s fortunate to have senior here.”

If someone heard us, they’d think we’d been close seniors for about ten years.

I was considering explaining the dictionary definition of “fortunate” when suddenly, several people in blue robes appeared around the corner.

They seemed to be her companions.

Some of them, upon seeing my face, couldn’t hide their frowns.

“Sorry for interrupting your meal. Enjoy your food, and I hope to see you again at the banquet, Senior Cyan.”

She politely bowed her head and even bent her waist, unsure of how to react.

I just waved my hand awkwardly.

What did you come here to say? Now that you’re gone, I’ll just ignore it and eat my food.

As I reached for my spoon, her voice rang in my ears.

“And my name is Luna Rainriver…”

“…?”

“Please remember it, Senior Cyan.”

With a meaningless smile, she said her full name and disappeared from my sight.

My right hand, holding the spoon, stayed still in the air for a while.

“Rainriver…?”

* * *

After finishing the meal, I went to any nearby inn and got a room.

When you go to the Imperial Capital, they’ll probably provide guest rooms, but there’s no need to be within their walls.

I plan to go to the banquet as soon as possible.

As I sat in the chair and looked out the window where the moon had risen, I couldn’t help but be concerned about the girl I saw at dinner.

The Garam Kingdom’s Magic Society.

A gathering of crazy people who wouldn’t hesitate to conduct any research for the advancement of magic.

The leader of those crazy people is the Rainriver family.

Regens Rainriver.

He’s a really crazy guy who doesn’t hesitate to use even his family as experimental subjects depending on the situation.

Luna Rainriver…

When I heard her name without her surname, I didn’t know who she was.

I thought she might be the daughter or granddaughter of some influential person from the academy. But, by chance, she id a direct descendant of the Rainriver family.

Her grandfather who sent her must be the head of that society.

Now that I think about it, I vaguely remember.

A rare possessor with five attributes—fire, water, wind, light, and darkness, each at 20% without leaning towards any one side.

In other words, it means being a remarkable talent possessing the power of all five attributes equally, rather than leaning towards any one.

Perhaps one could even say they are more valuable than someone like me, who leans heavily towards one attribute.

It signifies a wide range of magic abilities one can wield.

Of course, there’s a limit to how much one can progress in any attribute.

Nevertheless, possessing such extraordinary attributes and lineage, that girl wasn’t in my memory.

There’s nothing special about it.

She died early, before she could even bloom. It’s likely that her frail health was indeed true.

In fact, she died of illness before graduating from the academy.

At the time, I didn’t pay much attention, but I didn’t know it was her.

Anyway, it’s none of my business.

Whether she comes to the banquet or not, she can decide for herself.

I’m not a senior who’s so free to care for frail juniors.

“……”

Suddenly, a familiar yet unfamiliar sensation brushed against my intuition.

Rising from my seat, I prepared to leave.

“Where are you going, sir?” Brian, who was exercising, asked me.

“Just going for a drink. Keep an eye on Nana.”

Nana had long since drifted off to dreamland.

I soon stepped outside the inn and headed down the dark alley where the moonlight hadn’t reached.

As I pushed through the chilly night air and moved forward, a man appeared not far away.

“Long time no see, Master Cyan,” It was Kellen Diego, a loyal servant of Aschel.

“No need for long greetings. Just tell me what’s going on.”

Despite my stern response, Kellen spoke without hesitation.

“In about ten minutes from now, multiple infiltrators will converge around Master Cyan.”

“Who sent them?”

“Master Aschel.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“If they know there are forces around me, wouldn’t they hesitate? What’s the point of sending them now?”

“They seem to be taking advantage of the Imperial Capital. Just like us, Master Aschel’s side also thought that you wouldn’t engage in violence here.”

The significance of the starting ground is never small, even in places like Sevellinus.

The royal family does not tolerate crime within Sevellinus.

If there were any murders, they would be caught in the royal surveillance net, causing a lot of trouble.

Are they using this as an opportunity to monitor me?

Although I didn’t think they had any ulterior motives, the timing was impeccable.

“Okay. Watch everything that needs to be watched and pass it on as is.”

“Understood. I’ll observe everything and report accordingly.”

“Alright.”

Acknowledging the instructions, Kellen bowed his head.

However, he didn’t turn away and kept his gaze on me.

“Anything else?”

Kellen asked with a somewhat cautious tone.

“Is there any other reason for your attendance at this banquet?”

If I were to explain it again, Kellen’s personality is currently altered.

His old personality, which sought to devote everything to Aschel, has fallen asleep, and the new personality I injected is taking over his body.

So, the intention behind that question could be solely for my sake.

But there’s no need to disclose everything.

“If there is?”

I replied with a concealed intention.

“I suggest you hold off for now, whatever plans you have.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure of the specifics. But it seems there’s some kind of scheme between the First Prince and Master Aschel at this banquet.”

A scheme?

This was a matter that couldn’t just be overlooked.

“What’s that about?”

“Assassination.”

For a moment, I was dumbfounded, and my pupils dilated.

Assassination?

It’s almost cute how interesting it is.

“Who’s the target?”

“Luna Rainriver.”

The name wasn’t very familiar, but it wasn’t entirely unknown.

At this moment, all the cluttered thoughts in my mind were set aside, with just one dominating my head.

Is this madness?

—————