The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

‘Is this the power of humans?!’

Schurz, experiencing the power of the Holy Sword for the first time, was utterly bewildered.

Was this truly the power possessed by the invincible God?

The strength was incomparable to any opponents he had fought before.

Of course, this strength didn’t solely originate from the Holy Sword.

From the beginning, it was nearly impossible for Schurz, a young swordsman of mere mercenary origin, to confront knights hailed as top-ranking knights by the Empire.

Even though he managed to somehow block the attacks,

-Whoosh!

There seemed to be no room for a counterattack.

If Schurz hadn’t reacted instinctively and dodged just now, his neck would have been in danger.

If he didn’t keep his focus tight, he felt like he would reach the gates of the afterlife in no time.

Trying to regain his stance in haste,

“I won’t let you escape!”

The knight of the Holy Sword immediately stuck to him as if not allowing any gaps.

-Clang!

Brian stepped forward to block it.

With swift swordsmanship rivaling that of a high-ranking knight, Brian fiercely countered the knight’s attacks.

This caused the knight to temporarily retreat.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah, I’m still hanging in there!”

“Please hold on a little longer! Young master will soon get the situation under control!”

“I’ll try my best…”

Schurz honestly didn’t have much confidence.

But he couldn’t just sit idly by and give up.

With a determination akin to forcing himself to eat mustard, Schurz raised his sword again.

Although Brian also said so, he knew the situation was more serious than they thought.

The Holy Sword’s knights relentlessly attacked without showing any signs of fatigue.

The Mist’s members couldn’t withstand their momentum and were gradually pushed back, while the encirclement around them tightened.

Brian briefly considered requesting support from Cyan, but he immediately dismissed the thought.

He was a sworn knight of Cyan.

As a knight, it wouldn’t be right to ask for help when he should be sufficient to support his lord.

His best option now was to fight with all his might to ensure Cyan wouldn’t be distracted.

As he reaffirmed his loyalty to his lord and gripped his sword once again,

“…?”

Suddenly, a group of knights appeared in front of Brian.

Judging by their armor, they seemed to be from the Imperial Army, and some seemed like mercenaries of uncertain affiliation.

Although Brian wondered about their unexpected arrival for a moment,

They soon engaged in combat with the knights who stood before them.

“Protect the assassins!”

They seemed to have arrived to support the assassins.

Seeing their actions, Brian and Schurz, who couldn’t understand the situation, were soon joined by Jereon.

“Judging by their actions, it seems you’re not allies of those gloomy fellows.”

“W-Why are you helping us?”

“What’s wrong with having no reason? Just think of us as reinforcements who’ve come to help you for now.”

Jereon shrugged as if it were nothing.

“We’ll eliminate anyone who opposes the new order!”

In contrast, the Holy Sword’s knights showed no concern even when facing their own allies, considering them enemies.

They swung their swords as if they were evil, causing those facing them to feel even more puzzled.

“W-Why are you doing this?”

“We are knights who protect the Empire and the continent according to His Majesty’s orders. Why would you oppose His Majesty’s commands…!”

“His Majesty has fallen!”

The sudden announcement of the chaotic situation spread rapidly.

The gazes of the knights all turned to one place.

The dignified and imposing figure who had been giving orders had already disappeared.

All that remained was a feeble figure, collapsed and being cradled in the arms of Princess Arin.

“Escort His Majesty! Quickly!”

Arin requested help while supporting the fallen emperor.

The emperor, receiving protection from other knights, left the scene.

The people were bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

However, the Holy Sword’s knights remained unfazed, their goal still being the elimination of those opposing the new order.

“How can you not have doubts after seeing that sight?”

Jereon shook his head and, despite trembling, resumed his fight against the knights.

* * *

In that brief moment, the situation changed drastically in many ways.

However, such developments were not at all hostile to the owner of the Holy Sword.

I couldn’t help but smile as I noticed his noticeably darkened complexion.

“Your complexion has darkened significantly.”

“….!”

“It seems like things aren’t going as planned?”

He frowned slightly before giving a vague smile in response.

“It’s truly perplexing. The future Boris and I foresaw was not like this, with unforeseen events continuing to unfold…”

Support from the imperial army and unidentified mercenaries, the emperor’s departure, and so on.

Surely, none of this was planned for you.

“But it doesn’t matter. Regardless of how things unfold, the end is predetermined. Eventually, everything will return to its rightful order. And in the end, I will be the one laughing!”

A predetermined end.

An unchanging future.

He confidently declared that he would ultimately be the one to laugh, no matter how things played out.

“Sigh….”

An involuntary sigh escaped my lips.

How could things be so consistent?

Now, even pity and sympathy began to arise within me.

“Do you really think that the future given to you will continue unchanged?”

“It’s because it’s the future that must continue.”

“A butterfly’s small flapping wings can cause a storm in the distant ocean. Surely, you must know that even the smallest change can alter significant futures?”

“Well, the future depicted in the scriptures isn’t as easily swayed by small changes.”

As he responded, he stumbled over his words unintentionally.

I shook my head with a skeptical expression and continued.

“You’ve always been like this. Instead of overcoming obstacles on your own, you’ve always relied on others or external support.”

“What are you implying?”

“Don’t deny it. Have you ever overcome a challenge solely with your own strength? You’ve always risen to your position with the help and support of others. There’s nothing you’ve achieved entirely on your own.”

Aschel couldn’t deny it.

“So, this time, try relying on yourself instead of others. Who knows? Maybe your change could alter the predetermined future…”

However, I knew too well that it was an impossible task.

Even in the face of death, human nature remains unchanged.

I didn’t expect his nature to change in that brief moment.

Aschel struggled to respond, his lips trembling in frustration.

-Whoosh!

At that moment, the holy sword clashed with Kaeram, and the golden light emanating from it was brighter than before.

“….?”

Aschel and I were both surprised, silently staring at the light for a moment.

“That’s it!”

Aschel reacted first.

“No matter how the middle unfolds, it doesn’t matter! Ultimately, the future at the end won’t change!”

While pushing Kaeram away, he raised the holy sword high into the sky.

-Boom!

Once again, the brilliance of the holy sword soared into the air.

The knights, feeling the increased power, let out a roar.

The assassins, overwhelmed by the momentum, faltered, while the knights pressed on with even greater force.

-Clang!

As if to show me, he swung the sword towards me.

“….!”

As I clashed swords with him, my brow furrowed.

The power had clearly changed from before.

I didn’t know who or what had sent this power, but the power of the holy sword was now even more formidable than before.

“Do you see, Cyan? This is the power of faith! It’s not a power that can be overcome by trivial doubts!”

It’s absurd.

The one who doesn’t even give an ounce of trust to others is talking about faith.

Well, if others believe it, it might be fine, but I still can’t understand.

However, even this newfound power feels the same to me.

But,

“Argh!”

“Be careful, Schurz!”

It seemed others couldn’t do the same.

They lacked the strength to hold back the charging knights of the holy sword.

They were just barely hanging on to survival.

It would be too much to ask them to do more.

I turned quickly to help them for a moment, but

“Where are you going, Cyan!”

-Clang!

The owner of the holy sword blocked me as if expecting my move.

“What you need to protect isn’t them. It’s yourself!”

Feeling uncomfortable, I involuntarily narrowed my eyes.

“To protect myself, I shouldn’t hesitate to use any means necessary! Even if it means relying on others! That’s what achieving a life for myself entails!”

Truly sickening.

At this point, it’s almost laughable to discuss.

You, who thoroughly exploit others for your own success only to cruelly discard them, that’s who you are.

Though I engage in such actions to achieve a life for myself,

I’m different from you.

As emotions surged within me, an uncontrollable force began to rise,

‘Do you hear me, Cyan?’

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in my mind.

This unmistakably belonged to Hastia.

I instinctively responded via telepathy.

‘What’s going on all of a sudden?’

‘I’m truly sorry for the urgency! But I have something urgent to convey!’

Urgent situation?

Wait, are you somehow watching me right now?

Wasn’t she supposed to be in my pocket dimension?

Well, since Brian is here right now, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t be somewhere else….

‘Luna will support you soon!’

What? Who?

Did I hear that right?

‘What do you mean? Are you, by any chance, with Luna right now?’

‘Yes! But I can’t convey Lord Luna’s voice in the current situation!’

Once again, this impudent junior of mine seems to have stirred up trouble somewhere.

Despite my explicit instructions not to interfere in the Imperial Palace.

For once, she obediently listened, but now she’s meddling again…

-Ssss

Suddenly, mist emanated from the Kaeram I was holding.

It wasn’t mist summoned by my will.

“What are you doing, Kaeram?”

[I didn’t do anything.]

Kaeram flatly denied any involvement.

I couldn’t help but wonder if that rascal god was up to something, but if so, I should at least feel some energy.

But at present, there was no sign of Aeru’s energy, let alone anything similar.

Rather, there was an entirely new energy I had never encountered before…!

“Ching! Ching! Ching!”

The delightful sound of swordplay carried on the wind reached my ears.

I instinctively turned my gaze.

Just moments ago, the assassins were struggling to defend themselves, but now they were regaining momentum and overwhelming the knights of the holy sword.

It wasn’t just the knights.

“Attack!”

Brian and another man, whose name I didn’t know, suddenly exerted their strength and drove the knights away with their own powers.

The power emanating from their swords was almost at its peak, far surpassing the mist’s power.

[Our master has quite a lot of luck, doesn’t he?]

“What?”

[He even gets help from that fool?]

“What are you talking about? Speak clearly!”

I urged Kaeram impatiently.

[Tome Remiharam.”

“……?”

[That fellow is nearby.]

For a moment, I couldn’t comprehend the situation, causing a brief pause in my thoughts.

What do you mean he’s nearby?

—————