The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Aschel Vert, the eldest son of Duke Vert, the guardian of the continent.

For Arin, his first impression was very special.

In short, it felt like seeing a god descending from the sky.

A charming appearance that any human would fall for, coupled with a gentle smile devoid of malice.

He was a significant figure who gave Arin advice for the first time, as she, imprisoned in the palace, couldn’t see the world.

He told her not to waver no matter what others say, to continue on as a princess with integrity and dignity.

To someone unfamiliar, it might seem like sincere advice, but to someone who knows the ways of the world a little, they would realize it’s just an illusion, meaningless hope that only sows deceit.

At that time, Arin didn’t realize this fact and believed in the truth of those words.

But now things are different.

She is not so weak as to be enchanted by illusions like that smile.

What’s important to her is not the light of illusions, but the darkness of reality.

It’s the presence of such darkness that showed her, who was like a frog in a well, the way forward.

*Swoosh!*

Arin’s gaze shifted from Aschel to something rapidly approaching.

*Thunk!*

It was Cyan, who had been looking into her eyes just a moment ago, now rushing over to grab her hand.

But Cyan’s eyes weren’t on Arin.

His gaze was fixed on Aschel, who was raising the Holy Sword with a face filled with excitement, seemingly unwilling to include Arin in that moment.

“Eek!”

He pushed her backward.

As Arin was pushed back, the knights safely caught her.

*Clang!*

As the golden Holy Sword and the black Demonic Sword clashed, strong shockwaves spread around.

The two men clashing swords seemed destined to meet, showing no expression towards each other.

After a continued exchange of blows, Cyan finally withdrew his sword first and stepped back.

Upon this, Aschel smiled mysteriously and sheathed the Holy Sword.

Then, without any hesitation or reluctance, he slowly approached Cyan.

A being of despair that plunged the world into chaos, and a being of salvation appearing before it.

As an unfamiliar emptiness swept through, calming the tense atmosphere around, people watched them face-to-face, holding their breaths.

Their distance had narrowed to less than three steps.

At this, Aschel broke the silence first.

“Do you remember the day we met at the mansion two years ago, Cyan?”

Cyan remained tight-lipped, not answering.

“I can’t forget the look in your eyes that day. It was a gaze so intense that it didn’t seem human, one I’ve never seen from my father or even from the Emperor. It made me doubt if you were truly human…”

Aschel recounted their first meeting at the mansion and conveyed his honest feelings to Cyan.

“I admit, I didn’t pay much attention to you at first. I didn’t care about someone who inherited the Vert lineage but couldn’t do anything. But after hearing about your victory against Cranz in the duel and your rescue of the princess on the front lines, my curiosity about you grew. The youngest I knew couldn’t possibly possess such vast potential. What could have changed that child? Surely something incredible must have happened to you.”

Cyan listened silently, still not opening his mouth.

“So I approached you with interest. But the more I tried to understand you, the more questions arose. You were like a fog shrouded in the night sky, revealing nothing. It felt like you knew I would approach and had already blocked everything beforehand.”

Continuing his speech, Aschel suddenly touched his own neck.

“Even Princess Violet felt the same about you. She said the entity that pointed at us with a sword at the mansion was you. At that moment, I experienced a sense of powerlessness I had never felt in my life. It wasn’t bad, it was intriguing. It was fascinating to think that there was someone in the world who could evoke such emotions in me!”

Cyan’s expression, which had been like a statue, slightly contorted.

“This world rejects the existence of mist. It’s also one of the biggest reasons why you find yourself in this situation now. But I don’t want to abandon you, Cyan.”

In response to his contorted expression, Aschel spoke with an even brighter smile.

“I won’t ask about your past, where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or what you’ve been thinking. What’s important is the future, not the past. What you need to do for that future is simply to take my hand.”

Aschel reached out his hand to Cyan in a very natural gesture.

“Cyan, your strength can surely be used in many places. For the empire, for the continent, for humanity, and for me…”

Like the warm morning sunlight dispelling the dark dawn sky,

“I will guide you to the path of salvation.”

Behind Aschel, extending his hand, an unknown golden radiance shimmered faintly.

“…”

Though Cyan’s mouth remained closed, his gaze was fixed on Aschel’s hand.

An endlessly indifferent but seemingly carefree gaze.

He didn’t seem to be pondering anything too serious.

Aschel waited patiently for Cyan’s next move without any urging or prodding.

*Swish*

After a considerable silence, Cyan finally raised his hand.

But it wasn’t directed toward Aschel’s hand.

The hand that didn’t hold a sword pointed instead to his own pocket.

The moment something hidden inside it was revealed to the world,

“…!”

Aschel’s face contorted grimly as if crumpling paper.

“You’re making this too complicated.”

In contrast, Cyan’s face, with his mouth still shut, was filled with joy and delight.

For a long time, the jewel of the Holy Sword, which had lost its luster due to not seeing the world, barely maintained a faint glow.

* * *

Within the dark mist of the demonic sword, which engulfed its surroundings.

*Thud*

A woman stepped into Kaeram’s space, where mist served as a bed for Kaeram.

Upon noticing her, Kaeram wore a somehow satisfied smile and said,

“You must have slept for a long time, huh? Your skin is so flushed. How about going somewhere to get some care?”

Despite Kaeram’s taunting, she didn’t respond.

She just stared at Kaeram with a gaze mixed with anger and contempt.

“It seems like our savior has lost a lot of personality, huh? Why aren’t you smiling like before, like a plaster statue? ”

“…”

“Have you lost the strength to even open your mouth because you’re so weak now?”

Finally unable to bear her anger, the woman shouted with gritted teeth.

“What have you done, Kaeram!!”

Kaeram didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

“Does your plan require throwing this world into chaos? Where did such an absurd successor come from?”

As if a fierce roar of a beast, her vehement outcry made Kaeram’s space shake slightly.

“Even if you’ve lost strength, your spirit seems intact, huh? Was I like this when you used to see me before? They say life is easier when you meet a good master. Seeing you like this, I think that may not be wrong after all?”

“Don’t make fun of me! Answer my questions! Either it’s you or Aeru! Unless you pulled off some weird trick, such a perfect successor from the beginning…!”

“That’s right. He was too perfectly trained, even for me to handle. That’s why it’s so annoying! ”

Kaeram’s face, which had been smiling, suddenly twisted mercilessly.

“I have manipulated a woman so perfectly that I am so angry that I am going crazy! Where on earth did such a successor come from? I want to ask too! Where did this little boy come from who makes me so anxious that I can’t swallow him!”

With a slight protrusion of her tongue, Kaeram’s smile returned to her lips.

“Don’t think too hard. Let’s just enjoy it slowly as we always have. The successor chosen by your master, crumbling miserably under the successor chosen by me…!”

In the space of the demonic sword,, where the dim light of salvation is gradually being swallowed by the bleak mist.

Within it, the laughter of the dark mist, filled with delight, echoed widely.

* * *

This jewel could also be called the source of the power of the Holy Sword Durandal.

On the day when Kaeram was recovered, I removed this jewel attached to the Holy Sword, reducing its power to less than half.

For something incredibly amusing that would happen later.

“Why do you make such an expression, brother? Wasn’t this what you desired?”

I don’t know how my face looks to others right now, but I am desperately trying to hold back laughter.

It’s almost unprecedented in my entire life.

The stupid face of my dear brother whom I hate so much!

“Brother, you may wish for this jewel attached to my hand, not my hand…”

-Snap!

“Unfortunately, I do not wish for that.”

His gaze was directed not at my eyes but at my fist holding the jewel.

“There was once a man.”

His questioning gaze returned to my face.

“He was born into a wealthy and prestigious family, but as he was physically and inherently incapable, no one paid him any attention.”

Suddenly, I wondered if my last face in my past life had been like that.

“One day, he gained power. The man honed and grew that power obsessively. Eventually, his efforts were recognized, and he entered the service of the person he had so longed for. But what he received in return was… a painful betrayal.”

If I had a mirror in my hand right now instead of a sword, I would immediately hold it up to show.

His constant frowning due to his failure to understand the situation is simply ridiculous!

“The man thought of him as nothing but a disposable item. He didn’t even have a small amount of trust, and in the end, the man regretted his entire life, living like a fool and closed his eyes in solitude…”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t bother to think too hard. If you, who have become my person now, think about what will happen in 30 years, you will understand easily…”

I don’t think it will take that long.

“My story ends here. Now, you must make a choice, brother.”

“A choice?”

“To become a true savior of light, you will need the power of the Holy Sword, and to obtain the power of the Holy Sword, you will need this jewel containing the power of the Holy Sword. So please choose.”

I slowly bent my waist and leaned my face forward.

“To kneel before me for peaceful recovery or to face me once again for forced confiscation. Please choose. O savior of light…”

Quivering pupils and trembling lips.

Truly, a sight so rare that even money couldn’t buy it.

“Why do you hesitate? Do you not need this jewel?”

I kindly provided the options, urging him not to hesitate, yet there was no response.

So, I silently counted to three.

“Perhaps the Savior of Light doesn’t need such a useless stone after all. Then, I shall just dispose of it.”

-Whoosh!

If I had been just 1 second, no, 0.5 seconds slower, it would have been over.

He couldn’t bear to witness the destruction of the power of the Holy Sword right before my eyes.

He desperately drew his sword and tried to slash my body at lightning speed, but at such a snail’s pace, it was impossible.

“It seems you’ve chosen the latter after all…”

“Must it come to this?”

“Would you rather have kneeled and begged? At least then, the chances would have been greater, albeit more pathetic.”

“All you’ll do is regret this, Cyan…”

Regret?

The last regret in my life was when you stabbed my heart.

Then I made a decision, I vowed never to let such a gruesome moment happen again.

So, now it’s your turn to feel it.

The feeling of everything you believed in, the world as you knew it, crumbling in an instant.

“I will ensure that no one tarnishes the reputation of Vert, the Guardian of the Continent, and the Savior of Light… very diligently indeed, brother.”

I murmured softly as I lifted Kaeram.

“Shadow: Manifestation of the Demonic Sword.”

—————