The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

In the midst of a valley where demonic monsters roamed freely, if a newly minted knight, especially a female one, claimed to have faced a superior demonic monster and returned unscathed, how believable would it be?

At least the frontline knights would dismiss it as unworthy of consideration.

However, not only skilled veteran knights, but also knights of the imperial army who had stepped on the battlefield for the first time.

“I apologize for causing concern.”

Alice said, bowing her head in perfect condition without a scratch.

In response, Duke Vert pulled her into a tight embrace.

“I’m proud of you, Alice!”

Not only had she safely escorted the missing princess to the rear, but she had also returned boldly to the front lines after single-handedly defeating the notorious superior monster.

The duke couldn’t help but genuinely rejoice in her achievements.

Other knights also couldn’t help but admire Alice’s bravery, except for one.

‘How… how did she come back…?’

Seized by inner bewilderment, Cecilia couldn’t move.

From head to toe, she felt a trembling akin to aspen leaves, and her heart suffered relentless pounding.

‘Why is she so unharmed?’

It wasn’t as if she had narrowly avoided fatal wounds on her arms or legs.

Wasn’t she stabbed in the abdomen, where vital organs were located?

Though not deeply, it should have been a blow impossible to move normally from.

Even the traces of blood were vividly visible.

At the very least, walking should have been extremely unnatural.

Yet Alice showed such a normal appearance as if such a thing had never happened.

Alice subtly raised her head, and her gaze finally met Cecilia’s.

Cecilia was at a loss for what to do.

As her heart raced with palpitations, Alice laughed.

“….!”

It was a smile so beautiful that no metaphor in this world could adequately describe it.

It was a familiar smile to Cecilia.

However…

Cecilia felt fear.

Knowing that the smile was not born of joy or positivity, until she understood the true intent behind that smile, her current fear seemed unlikely to be alleviated.

* * *

“….”

Alice’s return, casually discarded at the crossroads of life and death. Upon learning of this, the Princess Violet’s face no longer held any semblance of feigned sadness or false happiness.

“Your Highness, it’s Cecilia.”

The princess didn’t turn her gaze, but spoke nonetheless.

“How is Alice?”

Contrary to expectations, there was a hint of ease mixed in her voice.

“She hasn’t said a word…”

At this, the Violet Princess let out a bitter laugh.

“So, is there any benefit in her silence?”

“There isn’t.”

Cecilia’s response was firm yet awkward.

Depending on what words came out of her mouth at that moment, their situation could change in an instant.

But Alice hadn’t spoken since her return.

Betrayed by the knight she trusted and facing moments of unwanted death, yet saying nothing?

It was a behavior that they couldn’t understand.

“I heard she even single-handedly defeated a superior demonic monster called the Red Wolf… Is Alice truly that skilled?”

In all honesty, Cecilia wanted to say no.

Beyond her infancy, she had spent nearly ten years as the sword that protected the Vert family.

Over those ten years, Cecilia had been by Alice’s side, knowing her better than family.

Alice’s abilities?

It was a fact that she possessed talents beyond that of a genius, perhaps even bordering on being blessed by the gods.

If given enough time, she would undoubtedly become the greatest knight on the continent.

But it wasn’t the case yet.

She was like a flower about to bloom, not yet fully developed.

To defeat a superior demonic monster with injuries on an abnormal body was an impossible feat.

Yet, Alice had returned, in perfect condition.

Could it be that she received help from someone?

There was nothing certain in the situation.

A moment of silence filled the room.

“It’s amusing.”

Cecilia doubted her ears.

“Despite the frustrating and even despairing situation, why am I laughing?”

It wasn’t a feigned or hidden laughter, but genuine joy from within.

“Since our time at the academy, I’ve always known that Alice had a generous heart but was also very strong-willed. She was always her true self, without any pretense, unlike me. Isn’t that something Cecilia, who was always by her side, knows better than anyone?”

Cecilia affirmed with silence.

“Surely she wouldn’t stay silent for no reason. Or perhaps, she might be waiting for the right moment. If not that…”

“….!”

Suddenly, a familiar presence felt from outside the door made Cecilia turn her head.

“She might want to check on us.”

– creak

The door opened, and a familiar face of a knight entered.

The one Cecilia absolutely didn’t want to face at the moment…

“Intermediate Knight Alice Vert, representing the Order of the Knights of Light. Greetings to Princess Violet.”

It was Alice.

“Welcome, Alice. You came sooner than expected, didn’t you?”

The princess greeted her casually with a smile.

Alice’s face was as rigid as a stone, devoid of any emotion.

“You seem to have a lot to say? It’s okay if it’s difficult. We’ll listen…”

Her demeanor was not just casual but rather confident.

Without hesitation, Alice spoke up.

“Then let me ask in return. Your Highness, do you have anything to say to me?”

The princess tilted her head with a smirk.

“Do you have anything you want me to hear?”

Alice’s gaze remained steadfast.

“I have no desire to make excuses. As I said before, I only struggled to survive.”

In other words, in that situation, Alice had to die for the princess to live.

“So, I have nothing to say. I believed without a doubt that you would die. What can I say to someone I thought was dead?”

Alice couldn’t even open her mouth in the face of such brazenness that almost robbed her of any words.

“But Alice, you’re truly remarkable. Even after being stabbed with the most painful betrayal, you return confidently without losing heart. I really admire your strength.”

“….”

“So why are you keeping quiet now? If you speak up now, it will put both me and Cecilia in a difficult position. Are you hesitating?”

Alice’s fist clenched in turmoil of emotions.

Sensing this, the princess spoke with even more enthusiasm.

“It’s amusing to say this, but I have no ill will towards you, Alice. In other words, you’ve done nothing wrong. So, how about changing your perspective a bit?”

The princess’s touch was now gently caressing Alice’s cheek.

“You were just fulfilling your duty as a knight to protect the continent and the empire, and in doing so, you saved me…”

Salvation.

Though packaged in pleasant words, it ultimately meant the same as asking.

Unless one was a complete fool or utterly ignorant, how many could nod their heads at those words?

But…

“I understand…”

For the first time, a smile appeared on Alice’s face, which had been rigid all along.

“I understand your heart, Your Highness. If I could sacrifice my life to save you, there could be nothing more valuable. I won’t blame you.”

The princess’s face, in turn, stiffened at Alice’s words.

“I might even be grateful. Thanks to you, I learned many things I didn’t know.”

In Alice’s subtly lifted head, there was genuine joy without falsehood.

“My mission was to protect the royal family while the front line expedition continued. But now that the royal expedition has ended abruptly, I think there’s no need for me to be by Your Highness’s side anymore. So, I’d like to bid farewell to you, Your Highness.”

Alice raised one arm over her chest and made a knight’s oath to the princess.

“Then return safely to the palace…”

With that, Alice turned around.

Immediately, she met Cecilia’s gaze, who was naturally by her side.

“….!”

Once again, Cecilia was caught off guard.

A smile that could not possibly originate from positivity.

Alice turned her head away after that smile.

Until she opened and left through the door, neither the princess nor Cecilia said a word.

“….”

Unlike a moment ago, when she was relaxed, the princess’s face was now filled with bitterness.

“What does it mean to have learned something new…?”

Cecilia couldn’t provide an answer.

But she knew exactly what she needed to do in this situation.

Hesitation for a knight was akin to sin, and any lingering regret had to be cut off beforehand.

“I will… kill Alice Vert this time.”

Her hand was now directed towards the hilt of her sword.

* * *

There was no particular reason.

She was never truly her ally to begin with; she was only there to achieve her own goals.

Therefore, she didn’t feel any guilt.

But Cecilia couldn’t bear it anymore.

That smile she had seen earlier…

Could a mere smile arouse such intense emotions in a person?

It wasn’t about getting angry or forgiving.

At first, she was confused about its meaning, but now she understood it clearly.

There must have been compassion behind Alice’s smile directed at her.

Cecilia’s emotions upon realizing this bordered on rage.

She couldn’t endure or tolerate her current feelings.

To alleviate this emotion, she thought killing her was the answer.

At the point when Alice had to return to the knight headquarters in the capital after the end of her duty as the royal guard, Cecilia patiently waited for her appearance.

Moments later, Alice emerged from inside the castle gate with her belongings, completely alone, without even a porter in tow.

As Cecilia was about to erase her presence and follow behind her, she felt it.

A tremendous surge of murderous energy that made her heart race, not emanating from Alice in her line of sight.

It was coming from behind her, from the dense thicket of red leaves, as if beckoning her to come.

Forgetting her original purpose for a moment, Cecilia began to approach the unknown murderous energy calling out to her from within the unfamiliar thicket.

The strange crimson shadow cast a slightly eerie feeling over the area, like scattered drops of blood.

Stepping into this unfamiliar space, Cecilia soon found herself face to face with the owner of the mysterious energy beckoning her here.

When was the last time she had felt such emotions?

It was said that humans feel the greatest fear when encountering the unknown for the first time.

Even when facing a demonic monster for the first time, she didn’t feel like this.

It was the first time since becoming a senior knight that she had experienced such fear.

Directly from the presence behind the mask.

“…”

The moment she felt the sinister energy emanating from within the mask, even her breathing became uncomfortable.

—————