The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Stacks of documents piled on the desk like a tower.

Already feeling overwhelmed with fatigue, Arin let out a sigh.

Most of the documents were suggestions disguised as opposition.

“Should I clear these?”

Looking at Arin’s expression, Ressimus cautiously asked.

“No, it’s fine. Whether it’s good or bad, I chose this path and I need to listen and reflect on everything.”

Arin took a deep breath to steel herself and then started working at her desk.

Regarding the arrest warrant issued against Aschel, nobles showed a level of tolerance.

However, nobles did not tolerate pardons for Cyan and Mist.

Ultimately, it was because those actions insulted the Empire and its values that had been upheld for centuries.

However, surprisingly, there were nobles who supported Arin’s direction.

The Quazel duchy was a prominent example.

When Arin hinted at the approval of the influential Quazel duchy, other families which were cooperative with the duchy also showed signs of agreement.

Of course, there were still overwhelming opposition forces.

Nevertheless, Arin carefully went through the piled suggestions, considering each one meaningfully.

Some were politely written from start to finish, while others outright disregarded the princess’s decisions.

There were many criticisms directed at Cyan in particular.

As Arin scrutinized each suggestion, she eventually turned to Ressimus and asked.

“There’s still no response from Duke Vert, right?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

Despite a considerable amount of time passing, there was still no response from Duke Vert.

As both key figures in this case belonged to the same family, it would not be easy for Duke Vert to take a stance.

Which side would Duke Vert support between his two sons?

Depending on his choice, it could significantly impact whether Arin’s chosen path would proceed smoothly or become a series of hardships.

What might Cyan be thinking about this?

Since they hadn’t met since that day, Arin wanted to inquire about Cyan’s thoughts.

“Have you heard anything about Cyan?”

As Arin mentioned Cyan, Ressimus slightly flinched.

“There was just some information I learned through the knights…”

For some reason, she seemed reluctant to speak.

“Why? What is it?”

Arin narrowed her eyes inquisitively, noticing her unusual demeanor.

Although she wasn’t sure why, Ressimus seemed hesitant to continue.

“What is it?”

Arin pressed on, her curiosity piqued.

“At a restaurant on the outskirts of Sevellinus…”

Ressimus lowered her voice and whispered to Arin.

After hearing about Cyan’s whereabouts, Arin exclaimed,

“What?!”

and stood up abruptly, causing the piled documents to scatter in all directions.

* * *

On the outskirts of Sevellinus, in a corner of an alley, there was a small, shabby restaurant.

It was so tiny that it could accommodate no more than ten guests at most, and it seemed unlikely that any proper customers would come today.

Why?

Because I rented out the entire place.

No one else could come in except us.

‘It’s really delicious, Cyan!’

It was just an ordinary noodle dish that could be found anywhere in the Empire.

But Hastia was eating it with such ecstatic expression.

Although her hearty eating stimulated the appetite of those watching, I couldn’t bring myself to eat.

My mind was preoccupied with one thought.

Aschel, whose traces had been traced after nearly ten days.

The one who finally revealed his appearance was none other than Velias.

The reason was obvious.

He was probably trying to seek help from his father, who was a lord there and possessed a formidable military force rivaling that of the Empire.

As he had been prioritized in the Mist’s information network, the Empire was still unaware.

However, it was just a matter of time.

For me, rather than cooperating with the Empire, it would be more appropriate to handle him alone with my Kaeram, but for now, I’m just observing.

Because there’s something I want to confirm.

Something fundamental about that guy.

“……?”

Suddenly, a heap of noodles wrapped around a fork appeared in front of me.

At the tip of the fork, Hastia, with her blue eyes blinking, was staring at me intently.

“What are you doing?”

‘Since Cyan hasn’t taken a bite yet, I thought you might not eat at all, so I wanted to feed you!’

Hastia extended her arm as if to feed me, holding the fork in mid-air.

I’m not sure what she’s trying to do.

It’s not like I’m going to eat directly from her hand.

Instead, I took the fork from Hastia and took a bite as she wished, then handed it back to her.

Hastia seemed satisfied with that.

[You’re playing house.]

Kaeram, who didn’t find her behavior endearing, sneered nearby.

[In a situation where you’re outside the eyes of the gods, are you passing food over?]

‘……!’

When Kaeram mentioned the gods, Hastia’s hand, which was about to feed me, stopped abruptly.

I acknowledged it internally but didn’t show it, immediately looking elsewhere.

‘Um, Cyan?’

She didn’t hesitate and called out to me.

“Why?”

‘Is Cyan planning to be in a place opposed to the gods’ existence?’

While it seemed like a roundabout way of saying it, it was essentially straightforward.

Since there wasn’t much reason to react strongly, I replied calmly.

“If it’s not going to work out, just let me know.”

‘…?’

Hastia tilted her head in confusion, not understanding.

“There’s no one among humans targeting you now. There shouldn’t be any more danger. If you want to go back, say it now. I’ll take you back to Pruina.”

‘What do you mean by that, Cyan?’

“Did you also sense something that day? Then you must have felt that there’s no point in sticking around with me, right? So, it’s okay to go back now.”

After Hastia hesitated for a moment, she mentioned that she also felt the energy of Lumendel that day.

As an elf protected by the gods, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to sense their energy.

However, sticking around with me directly opposing Lumendel’s wishes wasn’t a good idea, so it seemed safer to part ways here and return to Pruina.

That was the intention behind this suggestion.

‘Why would you say that?!’

For some reason, Hastia got angry with me.

‘Didn’t you bring me here because you needed me, against the wishes of the tribe members?’

Right.

Ultimately, it was to protect her from danger.

As for the ancient records, well, if others didn’t need to know, there wasn’t much reason for me to reveal it.

‘When you brought me, it may have been as you pleased, but when parting, it’s not! I also followed Cyan because I needed him!’

“Why do you need me?”

‘……!?’

“Apart from your tribe’s issues, is there something else?”

I genuinely asked out of curiosity.

Even if that’s the case, does she have a reason to need me?

When she responded sharply before, and now her face turning red, Hastia began to inhale deeply with a somewhat awkward expression.

[What do you expect from our foolish master?]

Kaeram looked at Hastia, seeming pitiful, and shook her head.

“No, forget about everything else. Why is she sticking around here?”

“Are you talking about me?”

The short-haired woman responded calmly with a nonchalant look as if asking what the problem was.

She was none other than Mia.

[‘Are you talking about me’? Who knows, maybe she’s just like her ancestors, pushing around my inferior replacement doll without even knowing where it should belong, then strutting around with confidence?]

“I’m just supporting Silica’s maintenance as per Sir Cyan’s request.”

[Huh? Since when have you followed that woman? You couldn’t even distinguish where you should be, indulging in the antics of that fool’s puppet?]

“Well, back then, I couldn’t properly discern where I should be. But now I know for sure. Being by Cyan’s side is much more comfortable than being with instructor Boris.”

Kaeram burst out laughing incredulously.

Well, honestly, it is a bit burdensome, but she’s also a talent worth keeping.

Plus, the leader also said so.

It makes sense for me to listen.

“I’m not sure about other things, but I’m confident in protecting Cyan. Even while having a peaceful meal like this…”

-Thunk!

She suddenly grabbed a knife from the table and swiftly threw it backward.

“Whenever I need to, I can protect Cyan from threats.”

-Swish!

The knife flew straight and deeply embedded itself in the wall right next to the restaurant’s front door.

“…!”

With wide eyes, I saw a familiar white-haired elder and a middle-aged man who seemed like a bodyguard take their seats.

“If I had just eaten a year’s worth more, I would’ve avoided that….”

The elder let out a satisfied chuckle as if enduring ten years.

“They are unauthorized intruders. Shall I kill them?”

“Enough. Let it go.”

I immediately calmed down the enraged Mia, who was like an angry bear.

“I didn’t realize there were more ladies here. Not only exceptional assassination skills but also abilities in other areas?”

The old man chuckled and naturally pulled up a chair to our table.

“Didn’t you see the sign outside? I’ve rented this place today.”

“Well, that’s disappointing to hear. You won’t deny that on that day, I and my subordinates stood by your side and fought together, will you?”

I was going to ask again if I saw him correctly.

Jereon Alkin.

He had served as the head of the Knights of Light in the past and had received respect and admiration from knights across the continent.

He had suddenly attached himself to my side during that chaotic situation and fought alongside junior members, causing astonishment not only among the watching knights but also within me.

“Even if it’s not senility, what made you do that?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure either. I just thought that in that situation, it was much better to stick with you guys who seemed more trustworthy than attaching myself to the owner of the Holy Sword! Well, looking at the results, it wasn’t a wrong choice, so isn’t it okay?”

Whether it was his natural personality or a change with age, he was certainly not pessimistic.

“But really, I don’t understand what you’re thinking. Even if you’ve atoned for your sins in the name of the royal family, it’s quite audacious to rent an entire restaurant like this.”

What’s the problem when I haven’t even rented a high-end restaurant in the center of the royal capital?

Originally, I didn’t rent the restaurant to invite such an easygoing inspiration.

“It may be an old man’s rash thinking, but isn’t now the time for that? Shouldn’t we be going to find the escaped owner of the Holy Sword?”

Instead of answering, I raised my eyebrows.

“That intimidating look of yours. It’s a reminder that there are still many suspicious eyes on you. That day, when the golden knight fell from the sky, and the distrust against mist still lingers in this country, right? To quickly prove that you’re right, we need to capture that owner of the Holy Sword as soon as possible.”

“Why are you so interested in others’ affairs?”

“Why do you call this someone else’s affair? You’ve already attracted interest not only from the Empire but also from other countries. You’ve already captured everyone’s attention. Right now, not just me, but others must be curious too. Your next move, I mean.”

His chuckling demeanor, as if looking forward to the future, wasn’t particularly appealing to me.

But there was no denying the truth in his words.

Everyone’s attention.

As someone who has never received attention in my previous life, let alone everyone’s, not even the attention of a single person…

“What kind of situation is this again?”

The moment I heard the familiar voice, I involuntarily felt drained and closed my eyes tightly.

An uninvited guest had come again.

Well, it’s not particularly surprising.

Just passing by and happening to catch my scent, coming to find me…

“Why do I always have to sniff around and come directly to you, senior?”

[PR/N: TF.]

It was Luna.