The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

– Clang!

The sharp vibration traveling along the sword strongly stimulated the wrist.

It’s odd that such a sound occurs when a sword pierces through a person’s body.

Right now, Kaeram’s sword is not piercing the tender flesh of the princess but hitting the rough stone floor.

Yeah.

Missed.

It’s not that I didn’t stab.

To be precise, I couldn’t stab.

Normally, I would calmly focus my mind and aim properly to avoid missing the target, but I can’t.

Every part of my mind and body is refusing to kill her.

“……”

Even cursing words felt awkwardly tangled up inside.

Did sympathy suddenly kick in?

For a guy like me, affection never existed in the first place.

There was never anyone to give affection, nor was there ever a chance for such emotions to arise.

I don’t know if that’s why I wasn’t treated like a human being.

Yes, surely it was like that in my previous life.

But in this present life,

Unfortunately, it seems like such absurd emotions, which they call affection, have arisen in me.

Perhaps they’ve been there for quite some time.

But I, a person like me, denied such a possibility.

It’s only now that I’ve come to admit it.

Because of this foolish princess.

“How do you plan to save me?”

Instead of moving my hand, a question unintentionally popped out of my mouth.

The princess, looking a bit bewildered, cautiously spoke.

“I’ve thought about it. Whether lifting the mist that blinds us is truly a bad thing……”

Doubt.

It’s the fundamental feeling when a person wants to start something.

Her intention to save me also stemmed from this doubt.

“The way you’ve shown yourself to me, of course there were moments you didn’t, but I still don’t think you’re a bad person. At least to me, you, that mist, has certainly been a helpful presence.”

Now, not even foolish words of regret come out.

Yes, if you had seen through me from the beginning, you wouldn’t have had such thoughts.

Because you didn’t know, misunderstandings could arise.

Up to there, I can concede that.

But don’t you know my true nature now?

A merciless assassin who doesn’t hesitate to kill, not even feeling any guilt,

That’s the kind of person I am.

“You’re wise and capable. Different from someone as foolish as me…… So I thought there must be a reason for you to do such things. What kind of path you’re pursuing, what lies at the end of that path……”

The princess’s breathing as she continued speaking became rougher.

“Who said that? To understand someone’s true nature, you just need to give them power. Then their true nature naturally reveals itself.”

It’s not a wrong statement.

Especially true for humans.

When humans, born inherently weak, gain power, their hidden nature emerges.

So, did you spread false documents all over the empire?

To know the true nature of the mist I belong to?

“You want to know my true nature?”

Instead of answering, the princess simply nodded.

“My true nature is what you see in me right now, Your Highness.”

The princess frowned, expressing disbelief.

“Someone like you is not needed in the world I want to create! You’re someone who should disappear from this world!”

Caught up in emotions, my voice unintentionally grew louder.

The real me that hasn’t changed since our first encounter on the battlefield.

You can neither understand nor need to understand the existence that I am.

“What kind of world do you desire?”

Once again, the princess asked me, looking at me.

“I shouldn’t exist in the world you desire?”

I couldn’t say a word as if suddenly struck dumb.

It wasn’t because I was pondering what to explain, but simply because I had nothing to say.

“……!”

Suddenly, I turned my head towards a chilling presence felt from behind.

– Clang!

“Why did you have to do this!”

With eyes filled with anger and hatred, the knight Ressimus Klein shouted at me.

The crimson droplets of blood trickled down her body as if it stained her very soul.

Is this the spirit of the Empire’s greatest sword?

Though there’s no immediate danger to life, it had clearly torn apart areas that would suffer even the slightest movement with agony.

I dare to guarantee that she is feeling more pain than having dozens of swords piercing through her body right now.

And yet, she endured it all and came all the way to stop me.

Suddenly, not only knights but also onlookers gathered around amidst the commotion.

“Why… You…”

Just as the word ‘princess’ was about to be mentioned, Ressimus’s mouth was immediately covered.

Then she was heavily restrained, unable to make any sound except for groaning.

“Argh!”

Even in such a state, Ressimus did not divert her gaze from me.

I calmly looked into her eyes and, with my remaining hand, took off my cloak.

– Flutter

The cloak gently settled over the fallen princess.

Soon, the princess’s body and face were completely shielded from the onlookers’ gazes by my cloak.

At the same time, I released Ressimus with my other hand.

“……!”

Ressimus immediately rushed towards the princess without a moment to spare.

“Are you… all right!”

The princess, barely able to stand with the cloak draped over her, looked at me with a very puzzled expression.

I casually turned away from that gaze and stepped away from the scene.

“Why… are you sparing her?”

Her question, whispered almost inaudibly, reached my ears like a cold night breeze.

Of course, I had no intention of answering that question.

Even if I did have the intention to answer, right now, I couldn’t say anything to her.

Whatever I say would only give her false hope.

* * *

“Run!”

Knights hastily donning their armor and rushing to the scene in the dead of night.

Their faces were all equally serious.

“It seems like something happened in the streets.”

Hastia and Garnian, coming out of the inn, wore puzzled expressions as they watched the knights who suddenly appeared, then naturally followed them to see what was happening.

Eventually, they arrived at a point in the street.

Amidst the crowd that had gathered due to the commotion and the knights trying to control it, someone was being supported.

‘…!’

Hastia and Garnian’s eyes both widened simultaneously.

Among the gathered crowd, two women who clearly didn’t seem to be in normal condition.

It was Princess Arin of the Ushif Empire and her guardian knight, Ressimus, who had come to find them just a few hours ago, .

Ressimus’s condition was even more serious.

Her entire body was soaked in blood to the point where it was doubtful if standing was even possible, and the princess supporting her,

‘What’s that?’

Something very familiar to Hastia was draped over her body.

There was no mistake.

It was a cloak that someone had once worn as if it were part of their body.

It belonged to Cyan.

With that, Hastia quickly took out the Soul Stone.

Now, the Soul Stone was emitting a much stronger energy, enough to feel ominous just by looking at it.

As if drawn by that energy, Hastia suddenly turned and headed elsewhere.

“Hastia?!”

Garnian also followed her in surprise.

Passing through the streets and the outskirts, they arrived in the middle of a deserted forest.

– Gurgling

Soon, the clear sound of water reached their pointed ears.

Arriving at the sound of the water, someone very familiar to Hastia was present.

‘Cyan?’

With their backs turned to them, Cyan was there, gazing at the flowing stream in front of them.

Despite likely having sensed their presence, Cyan didn’t even spare a glance at them.

Hastia couldn’t help but feel both glad and puzzled.

‘Garnian. Could you wait here for a moment?’

“Yes? But…”

Garnian looked uneasily at the turned back of Cyan.

“That man seems much more unstable than before. It might… affect Hastia…”

‘It’s okay. I’m just going to cover up that unease.’

Having reassured Garnian, who couldn’t help but feel relieved, Hastia approached Cyan slowly with a faint smile.

‘Nice to see you again, Cyan?’

Although she tried to establish a mental connection, there was no response.

Hastia then leaned forward to examine his face.

“……”

Eyes firmly shut, mouth closed.

It was a sight that seemed as if he had fallen asleep in a seated position.

Just as Hastia was pondering what to do about this unexpected situation,

– Woo

Cyan’s eyes suddenly blinked open.

Startled, Hastia tried to step back, but as if not allowing that, Cyan grabbed her neck directly.

“Hastia!”

Garnian rushed over hurriedly, but,

‘Stop, Garnian!’

Hastia intercepted his movement with quick mental inhibition.

“Haa…”

Cyan exhaled roughly, staring at her with an anxious gaze.

At that moment, Hastia thought to herself.

Cyan is in a very unstable state right now.

He didn’t even realize she was coming until she approached him and established a mental connection.

Then, belatedly, he must have perceived her as a threat and reacted harshly.

So, in order to reassure Cyan, Hastia gently took his hand.

With that, Cyan, somewhat regaining his senses, released her neck.

“What are you?”

‘I’m Hastia. Have you already forgotten my name?’

“That’s not what I’m asking! Why are you here?”

‘We were on our way back to Pruina with the tribe members. As the day was drawing to a close, we decided to stay here for the day.’

Hastia continued her response with a casual smile that she didn’t lose.

‘The Soul Stone that Cyan returned resonated more strongly than usual. So, I found out that he was nearby. That’s why I came.’

Cyan burst out laughing as if incredulous.

Then, he turned his head again and shifted his gaze to the flowing stream.

‘Seems like something’s bothering you?’

“Mind your own business.”

‘How can I? Even though the one who saved me is wearing such a sad expression? Our tribe, although having a longer lifespan than humans, cherishes bonds and affection formed once until death.’

Despite snickering, Cyan couldn’t shake off the worry on his face.

‘Earlier, Princess Arin of this country’s royal family came to visit us.’

Cyan’s gaze returned to her at last.

“For what reason?”

‘She wanted to check the ancient records our tribe is guarding. But since it was something we couldn’t do even if we wanted to, we refused.’

Hastia wanted to ask further about her reaction to the Soul Stone and why she had Cyan’s cloak, but she didn’t want to inquire in the current situation.

‘With her….What kind of relationship do you have?’

Instead, she asked the one question that could alleviate all her doubts.

“……”

‘If it’s hard to talk about, you don’t have to. It’s said that just having someone by your side during the hardest times can be a great comfort.’

“……”

‘You can just speak to yourself silently, or you can stay quiet without any thoughts. I’ll just stay by your side. There’s nothing sadder than being alone when you’re having a hard time.’

Cyan didn’t answer until the end.

However, he didn’t reject her consideration of staying by his side either.

Just like that, without any further words or actions, Hastia simply filled the empty space beside Cyan.

“….”

As if proving that was enough, Cyan gradually felt all the negative emotions that had been weighing down his heart slowly melting away.