The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

“What, what are you talking about, student Set?”

Surprised by the unexpected visit, Instructor Silica, unable to comprehend what she had just heard, immediately asked.

“I’m telling you the truth, teacher! I want to go on an experiential learning trip with Cyan here!”

The application form he presented, claiming to be prepared for the trip, was nothing short of absurd.

Overwhelmed by a sudden headache, she held her head and said.

“Student set? Experiential learning is literally about learning through hands-on experiences in external environments. What can you possibly learn in this experiential learning trip that student Set hopes for?”

“Exploring something completely unknown! That’s the true meaning of learning, isn’t it? Exploring these mysterious relics from ancient times, where we might encounter a demon, is the perfect experiential learning to understand the true meaning of learning!”

He told me to trust him and leave it to him, so I let him go, but I was at a loss for words because his sophistry was even more ridiculous than I expected.

It’s uncertain if such a thing could be approved, but one thing was certain.

I’m going to be in big trouble soon.

“Well, I’ll accept the application for now. But you know, whether it gets approved or not is uncertain. Just because one person approved it doesn’t mean it’s finalized.”

Since Chancellor Kundel, who had to give the final approval, was absent, approval had to be obtained from substitute approval from other instructors, including Instructor Silica.

“I’ll be waiting for good news, teacher!”

“Y-yes. It might be better not to expect too much, though…”

Set, feeling as if he had completed his mission, stood up with a cheerful face.

Feeling like I also needed to get out of there quickly, as soon as I got up from my seat.

“Student Cyan?”

The leader stopped me with a voice that sounded like it could crack teeth.

“Student Cyan, could you have a word with me for a moment?”

The sharp gaze in her eyes clearly conveyed the thought, ‘Where do you think you’re going?’

After sending Set away first, I sat back down.

“Explain.”

The leader demanded an explanation from me with a short and firm tone.

As expected, I explained everything to her without hesitation.

“So, there’s a relic in the village of Nodeli in the southeast of the kingdom, and according to Set, the name of the creature living there might be Remiharam? And that’s the same name as the demon from the Holy War? And you’re going there to check it out under the pretext of an experiential learning trip?”

I nodded with an expressionless face.

“How did you seduce Set?”

“I said he would be my sparring partner if he accompanied me, so he agreed right away.”

In response, the leader asked with a look on her face that seemed like she was barely holding back from swearing.

“Let me ask you one thing. Where did you hear the name of the demon?”

“Kaeram told me.”

She sighed deeply.

“From the look on your face, it seems like you didn’t know, but unlike the Hishkrea, the names of the Tome is not known.”

Hmm?

What’s this all about?

“I can assure you that there are very few humans on this continent who know the names of the demons. Even I, just now, heard from you for the first time that the Tome’s name was Remiharam.”

“Oh, you didn’t hear it from Aeru?”

“The Remiharam was created by Aeru, but not by the demons. It was born from the power of other unknown gods, so there was no reason for Aeru to mention us.”

‘Never reveal what you want to do to any being other than the gods.’

According to the rules of the gods that Aeru mentioned, it was natural not to mention it.

Wait a minute, then wasn’t it forbidden to reveal this?

Come to think of it, how did Luna know about it?

“I’ll follow Aeru’s words. But do you know how dangerous it is for you right now, Cyan?”

I responded with silence.

“Princess Arin’s engagement proposal has arrived? This means there will be many more eyes watching you from now on! Not only from the royal family, but also from other noble families in the empire! Can you handle all of that?”

“If I have to, then I will, won’t I?”

Honestly, I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to handle it all.

“There’s no need to say more. I don’t want to send you to uncertain places where something might happen. Even if it’s Aeru’s words, it doesn’t matter. I know I keep saying it, but I can’t bear to see you in danger.”

She was truly resolute.

I could feel in my bones that her concern was genuine, not just empty words.

But even as she spoke, I couldn’t bring myself to care about the danger.

The ultimate reason for seeking the Tome was ultimately for the sake of those who would be in danger because of me.

I understood the leader wishes, but for now, I couldn’t follow them.

“So, does that mean I have to stay at the academy for the time being?”

“Yes, preferably without doing anything at all.”

Her decision was firm to the end.

“Then I’ll think of a way to complement that.”

“So, you’re not giving up until the end.”

As if expecting it, she sighed again and shook her head.

“If you utter the word ‘give up’ in front of me, I’ll kill you…”

“…?”

“It’s something my former leader said to me in a past life.”

I left her room with a smile on my face, leaving behind her rare expression of confusion.

* * *

Set seemed absolutely certain that there would be no problem.

Well, he’s a fool, so I didn’t pay much attention from the start, but the real problem is likely on my end.

The leader’s opposition was much stronger than expected.

The situation is clear to me.

Leaving when surveillance is increasing is suspicious in itself.

If I truly desired, I should aim for the vacation period, but I don’t have time to wait until then.

Boris might go berserk again, and just sitting idly by is unreasonable.

If there’s anything I can do, I must do it.

That’s what I said, but honestly, I don’t know what to do.

Ultimately, the key is to leave something behind at the academy to represent me.

Using illusion magic is only viable for a day or two at most.

And since it doesn’t have a physical form like a summon, if left unattended for a long time, it’s highly likely to be discovered.

This situation requires finding a substitute for me, someone who looks just like me…

“Huh? Young Master! How long have you been here?”

Emily, coming out of the kitchen, asked as she looked at me sitting on the couch.

“I’ve been here since just now.”

“What? That’s impossible! You were eating in the kitchen until a moment ago!”

Could that be true?

No matter how hungry I am, there’s no way I’d go to her food first.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that I’m the only one in this world who can enjoy Emily’s cooking.

With a puzzled expression, Emily quickly ran back to the kitchen.

“Eeek!?”

I heard a strange noise like someone choking.

Curious, I hurriedly went to the kitchen to see what was going on.

“…?”

For a moment, I blinked about five times in disbelief.

There was a black-haired boy sitting at the table, eating the food Emily had prepared.

That… was definitely me.

“No, there are two young masters?!”

No.

Although he looked exactly like me to the point where he could be mistaken for my doppelganger, that wasn’t me.

Judging by the familiar magical aura emanating from the unfamiliar boy, that little guy was undoubtedly…

“Haha! Did I surprise you?”

With a popping sound and a puff of smoke, the unfamiliar boy revealed his true form.

“Papa and Emily were totally surprised!”

I was the only one in the world who could enjoy Emily’s food.

“What… What is this?”

Unlike Emily’s bewildered expression, I immediately understood the situation.

Polymorph.

A humanoid transformation spell unique to dragons.

It’s known as a high-level spell that only fully grown dragons can cast, but this kid, who’s not even a full-fledged dragon, can use it?

It was an unbelievable sight to behold.

“How did you do this, Nana?”

“I don’t know! I was sleeping and having a dream, and suddenly when I woke up, he was transformed into Papa! Not just Papa! I can transform into other people too!”

“…!”

With another popping sound, this time, Nana transformed into Brian.

“Look at this! Isn’t it exactly the same?”

Not only the appearance, but even the voice was exactly the same.

For a moment, I stared blankly at her transformed appearance with my mouth agape.

“Why… why aren’t you saying anything, Young Master!?”

Why am I not saying anything?

Because right now, I’m contemplating a very insane idea and wondering if it’s right.

Two conflicting thoughts, knowing it’s wrong but also realizing there’s no other way, clashed fiercely in my mind.

* * *

Prince Fabian’s room on the central 4th floor of the Great Chamber in the palace.

Seated in a chair, Fabian had his chin resting on his hand, while his younger brother, Nerobian, stood with his arms crossed, gazing at him.

“Isn’t His Majesty admirable? Even while having seizures, he still tries to greet the guests,” Nerobian remarked.

Fabian remained silent.

“It’s been a good ten years since their last visit, right? What do you think grandfather is here for after such a long time? To have a chat with the Prime Minister and start establishing his position more seriously, taking advantage of His Majesty’s illness!” Nerobian continued.

“Be quiet, Nero! Aren’t you aware I’m thinking right now?”

Fabian snapped, despite his brother’s persistence.

“What’s there to think about, brother? The chancellor, who was only interested in the academy, suddenly visiting the palace, Arin being engaged to Duke Vert’s youngest son, and us feeling like we’re being left out?”

Nerobian pressed on.

Fabian didn’t have a particular rebuttal to Nerobian’s points.

“Snap out of it, brother! We’ll be left behind at this rate. While others are expanding their influence, we’re just maintaining our status quo!” Nero urged.

“So what do you suggest we do?”

Fabian asked, raising his eyebrows as if to prompt Nerobian to continue.

“What do we do? We need to shape up ourselves,” Nerobian said with a sneaky grin.

“Are you suggesting we meddle with the Quazel family? You’re still thinking about that?”

Fabian’s expression darkened.

“Who said that? Meddle with the Quazels?”

For a moment, Fabian hesitated, then furrowed his brows.

To this, Nerobian leaned in close to his ear and whispered softly,

“That Vert’s youngest son… Let’s kill him!”

Fabian recoiled in shock.

“Are you out of your mind, Nerobian!”

“Why? After all, he’s also the bastard son of a concubine with no roots, right? No one would care if he died!”

Nero’s sincerity was evident.

“Remember the plan that was made before? About getting the Mist assassins involved with Princess Arin? Now’s the perfect time to execute it!”

Nerobian continued, excitement evident in his voice.

Fabian’s pupils began to tremble.

“I already have mercenaries lined up for it! Let’s make it look like the Mist assassinated that guy Cyan! Then we’ll entangle the Quazel family in it! It’s easy! Even if it fails, I’ve already prepared a perfect escape plan!”

Nerobian explained eagerly.

With detailed plans already in place, all that remained was Fabian’s decision.

“Becoming emperor isn’t the issue here, brother. This is our struggle for survival! If we keep idling like this, everything will be taken away from us! Our throne, our country, and even our lives…”

Fabian struggled to control his trembling pupils as he forced himself to keep his eyes shut.

He tried to convince himself that what Nerobian said was just the natural struggle for survival for humans.

“Tell me more details, Nero,”

Fabian finally said, his voice determined.

Nerobian whispered the whole plan to Fabian with a smiling face.

————