The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

After nearly half a month, the Emperor’s office was finally lit up. Despite the steadfast gaze that still exuded the solemnity and nobility of an emperor, his face couldn’t hide the signs of exhaustion compared to before.

Facing him, Kundel felt a pang of sympathy but didn’t show it outwardly.

“As an emperor, I feel ashamed that I am now finally able to receive a distinguished guest of the empire who has visited for the first time in decades under the pretext of health.”

As his former father-in-law and now as the chancellor nurturing the future talents of the continent, the Emperor always treated Kundel with the utmost respect and dignity.

“Please, spare the formalities, Your Majesty. It’s far more than enough that you’ve personally attended to this old man.”

Kundel sincerely responded, bowing his head.

“Ten years ago, when you resigned from the position of duke, you told me that you would return if you saw turmoil returning to the peaceful empire.”

“That’s correct.”

Kundel didn’t deny it.

“Then it seems that the time you were worried about has arrived, Chancellor. However, I believe it’s a bit premature. Just because I’ve been unwell for a few days doesn’t mean I’ll be retiring tomorrow, does it?”

Even with the Emperor’s casual smile, Kundel’s expression remained unchanged.

“How long does this old man have left to live? At least until the day I close my eyes in this world, I don’t think there will be a day when the continent’s blood will be spilled.”

Of course, under the assumption that he would die before the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, you are the most kingly of all rulers who have governed this empire. This sentiment will remain unchanged until the day I close my eyes.”

It was a statement that stemmed not from being the Emperor’s former father-in-law but from genuine sincerity.

“However, it’s said that as the brilliance of a gem increases, so does the desire of those who seek it. As Your Majesty’s reputation rises, so will the value and honor of the seat you occupy. Naturally, the number of those who desire that seat will also increase.”

“Are you one of those who desire this seat chancellor?”

“I desire the person Your Majesty desires to occupy that seat.”

Even to a somewhat sensitive question, the chancellor responded without a moment’s hesitation.

“And surely, the resistance of those who wish to keep that seat will also intensify.”

Kundel quietly placed a letter on the Emperor’s desk.

Without asking what it was, the Emperor looked at the letter laid before him.

“Before confirming what this is, I’d like to express my sincere admiration for the Chancellor. Even while focusing on the Academy, you have shown great concern in various aspects, which is truly commendable.”

“I won’t make excuses. But please, consider this old man’s change of heart as a mere concern for Your Majesty and the empire.”

The letter contained shocking facts about Prince Louisnel, including the embezzlement and corruption he had been engaged in for years, as well as the establishment of a personal army not affiliated with the imperial family.

The Emperor’s gaze fluctuated subtly as he read the letter, but he didn’t become overly agitated.

Some parts seemed somewhat familiar to him.

In response, the Emperor sighed and manifested mana in one hand.

-Zzing

A mana sphere of appropriate size was created above his hand.

At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but it contained mana of an eighth-grade, a high-grade magic.

As the Emperor held the sphere, there was a slight trembling in his hand.

“Since the first mana appeared in my body, I’ve created hundreds, thousands of these spheres, but I’ve never felt as unstable as I do now.”

“Am I truly becoming weak, or is my body warning me of some impending danger?”

Either way, it was not good for the Emperor or the empire.

“It’s said that there’s no finger that doesn’t hurt when you bite all ten. I am just a father who wishes for his children to live well before being an emperor. It may seem foolish for an emperor, but I wish for my children and everything under my rule to live without any disputes.”

It was a wish that not only the Emperor but all parents harbored.

However, the Emperor was well aware that it would be even more difficult because they were his own children.

“As long as I have my eyes wide open, there will be no disturbance to the current peace. Just as it is a parent’s duty to correct their children if they make mistakes, whether it’s Louisnel, Violet, Fabian, Nerobian, or Arin. I do not wish for this seat I occupy to become soaked in my children’s blood, even after I depart from this world.”

Even after the Emperor’s departure from the world.

“I dare say, Chancellor, that the day of turmoil you worry about will not come. Just as a parent must correct their children if they err, so must I. If through this series of processes my children can grow, then that is enough for me.”

Despite seeming somewhat harmful, the sentiment was far from that.

Kundel keenly felt the imminent fierce winds of change across the empire, including the royal family.

“The more painful the process, the more valuable the growth it brings. If Your Majesty thinks so, then I have nothing more to say.”

Kundel showed his intention to respect the Emperor’s thoughts.

“Growth…”

At the mention of growth, the Emperor burst into laughter.

“Perhaps you’ve heard during your stay here.”

“Is it about Princess Arin’s engagement?”

While it was a fact he coincidentally heard during his stay at the palace, Kundel wasn’t particularly surprised; he had already anticipated it for quite some time.

The Emperor continued speaking.

“Two years ago, that child came to me before leaving the Academy and said she wanted to be an emperor.”

For a moment, Kundel’s eyes flickered subtly.

“I said whether it was possible or not was irrelevant. However, she spoke of constantly growing and developing while keeping the grand goal of becoming an emperor in sight. She wanted her existence to be beneficial to this empire.”

At that time, she seemed remarkably mature for an eleven-year-old girl.

“It seems that three years ago, the youngest son of Duke Vert, whom we met on the front lines, had a significant influence on Princess Arin. Since then, I’ve noticed a remarkable maturity in her.”

To Kundel, Princess Arin was exceptionally exemplary and outstanding, surpassing even Alice.

While Cyan was someone whose actions were unpredictable and who might be doing something behind the scenes, Arin was on a completely different level, unwaveringly outstanding.

However, thinking that she had changed so much because of someone else, Kundel felt a strange emotion welling up inside.

‘Truly an incomprehensible brat.’

He had to suppress the urge to laugh bitterly.

“Unlike her other siblings, there is no one beside Arin. Therefore, I believe it is the duty of a father to create means of protection for her.”

It was a perfectly natural statement.

“What do you think, Chancellor? Do you believe that Cyan can protect Princess Arin?”

At the moment, Cyan was just a student under the supervision of the Academy, like Arin.

While it might have been a somewhat formal question about how such students would appear in the eyes of the chancellor, Kundel couldn’t answer immediately.

Even the Emperor seemed slightly taken aback by this uncommon response.

“At least…”

After a considerable amount of contemplation, Kundel finally spoke.

“If that boy simply regards Princess Arin as his own…”

“….?”

“I believe there will be no one in this world who can touch her.”

There was no need to explain the reason.

Being a boy whom Kundel, who had seen countless people during his time at the Academy, couldn’t easily assess.

If Arin could enter the fence that boy had set up, Kundel dared to be certain that there would be no fortress safer than that.

* * *

– Bam!

A loud noise reverberated through the room as screams spread out.

“Aaah!”

Louisnel smashed everything in sight, trying to vent his boiling rage, but it wouldn’t subside.

The attendants waiting outside trembled in fear, unable to utter a word.

“What’s going on? What the hell is happening? Why does everything keep going wrong?”

With Violet miraculously back alive, Kundel appearing in the palace after ten years, and Aschel not showing up for days, everything happening at the moment was unsettling.

“Where are you, Aschel? What on earth are you doing that you’re not showing up! Hurry up and appear in front of me and solve this damn situation!”

At the end of his desperate and disgraceful plea, a servant who had been waiting outside opened the door and entered.

“P-Prince Louisnel?”

“What!”

“T-The thing is! Princess Violet is here to see you…”

“Violet?”

Louisnel’s face contorted even further.

Despite not having been granted permission yet, Violet entered the room.

“Brother, what’s wrong with the room?”

His face twisted even more.

“Violet?”

“Excuse me, but I think you need to calm down. Could you step aside for a moment? I have something to discuss with brother.”

“Yes, understood…”

The attendant, sensing the situation, quickly bowed and left.

“Get out, Violet! I didn’t authorize your entry!”

“Is it because I’ve always seen brother’s confident appearance? This wrecked appearance is quite new to me.”

Despite Louisnel’s anger, she paid him no mind.

Instead, she approached him casually, then looked at him with a pitiful expression.

“You don’t need to be afraid, Brother. I have no desire to shed blood within the family, unlike you.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Do you know? I’ve always admired you since I was a child. But now that I know the truth, you seem quite pathetic.”

“Have you gone completely mad? Are you really challenging me?”

“I’ve always wanted to live in this palace with you and my dear siblings for a long, long time. Even if you don’t want it, it doesn’t matter. Because it’s what I want…”

A strange smile, utterly inhuman, formed on her pure white face.

Facing this, Louisnel felt momentarily speechless, as if his bones were freezing and his nerves were numbing.

“Just relax, Brother. If you let go of the torment that’s harming you, you’ll surely be happier than you are now. If you can’t do it alone…”

Violet leaned in close to Louisnel’s ear and whispered softly.

“I’ll help you. So you can lay everything down and rest peacefully…”

Louisnel froze in place.

Was the person before him truly the sister he knew?

While everything seemed doubtful to him, Violet smiled brightly and said,

“Take care, Brother…”

With that, she left the room.