The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

The morning has dawned.

The sky over the red front lines, as usual.

It is a bit too early to call it morning, but what else should we call it?

There is a somewhat absent-minded feeling, different from usual.

Like the feeling of waking up the day after drinking too much, completely drunk?

Well, yeah, I definitely ran more than usual yesterday…

I checked the state of the Kaeram that I had placed under my pillow.

[…….]

It’s sleeping very well.

It seems both it and I slept soundly with our legs stretched out after the commotion last night.

I must be crazy.

To think I used “Magic Sword Manifestation” just to catch a single demon beast.

Not to mention, I went as far as to use the secret technique of the Mist Sword.

It is a good thing I consumed some of the demon beasts’ blood; otherwise, if it had been a month ago, my organs and blood vessels might have burst from the strain.

I completely fell for the temptation of the perverted magic sword.

-Murmur, murmur

It is noisy outside.

It must be because of what happened yesterday.

In my hurry, I even threw away the corpse of the Death Worm, inadvertently leaving a mess behind.

Ah, now that I think about it, is it that not a shame?

To catch a rather precious high-level demon beast and not even get to taste its blood.

By now, it is probably turned into a dark ash, not even its shape remaining.

“Oh? Did you wake up, young master?”

Emily entered the tent with a bundle of ingredients in her arms.

“Did you have a tough workout yesterday? You were sleeping so soundly, snoring and all.”

“Never mind that. It’s quite noisy outside, what happened?”

As if she had been waiting, Emily exclaimed with excitement.

“You won’t believe it! Last night, near the entrance of the Lemea Valley, a corpse of a high-level demon beast was found! It’s been a very long time since a high-level demon beast was found near the garrison, so now all the knights are busy rechecking the defense facilities!”

“Anything else?”

“Pardon?”

“Was there any other news besides the high-level demon beast?”

Surprised by my indifferent appearance, Emily stuttered.

“Well, that’s, I haven’t heard anything else. Just that the corpse of a high-level demon beast was found…”

“So, nothing but the high-level demon beast’s corpse, you mean?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s enough then.”

It seems that is all the knights have spread around.

Although I was caught by a few knights, including the duke, since I used the secret technique (Shadowless Form: Camouflage) to hide my true appearance, no one should know it was me.

The problem is, there might be a few who recognized that technique… It seems I will have to observe the situation for a while.

“Is Young Master Cyan here? I am Knight Eulken.”

Eulken’s voice was heard from outside the tent.

“Come in.”

Judging by the sounds, it seemed that several other knights were accompanying him.

It is not the regular check-up time, so what could it be?

“What’s the matter?”

“I have been ordered by the Duke to escort you, Young Master. Would you accompany us now if it’s alright with you?”

“May I know what this is about?”

“It’s regarding the visit of the royal family scheduled for this afternoon. It seems there is something he wishes to discuss with you regarding that matter.”

Is it about the Emperor’s tour?

Well, being a prince in name, I suppose I have to play my part as a son.

“Understood. I’ll come right now.”

After secretly packing the Kaeram that was sleeping inside the pillow, I stepped outside with Eulken.

If you measure the size of the garrison, it is about the size of a village, with the Duke’s residence located exactly in the center.

The location was chosen for a swift reporting system, and in fact, my father hardly ever leaves his residence unless an incident occurs.

Passing the knights maintaining strict vigilance, I entered the tent where my father was.

Seeing me, my father instructed me to sit down.

“How is life at the front?”

“Day by day, I am learning a lot. I always resolve to become a useful being here someday.”

“That’s good. I’m proud to see you’re holding up longer than I thought. Remember, you can always talk to me if you wish to return.”

I nodded slightly in thanks for his kindness.

Of course, I have no intention of returning earlier than the set period.

At least for 10 months.

Until I turn 11 and enter the Royal Academy, I plan to continue living at the front.

“Let’s leave it at that for now. Do you know who is visiting today?”

“I vaguely heard that a visit from His Majesty the Emperor and the royal family is scheduled.”

“Yes. The monarch of the Great Ushif Empire, ‘Emperor Dione,’ is scheduled to tour the front today. So, I have a favor to ask of you today.”

“What favor would that be, sir?”

My father, who is always vigilant, seemed relaxed today.

I have a rough idea of what it might be.

As his child, he probably wants me to show a good image.

I have heard that I have become quite a celebrity among the empire’s nobility.

How great must the fifth son of the Vert family be, to have already gone to the front,

to roam with knights hunting demon beasts,

such needless stories are circulating among the nobility, but honestly, it was not good news for me.

Is that not obvious?

In a world of nobility rife with envy and jealousy, I end up being nothing more than their fodder for gossip.

Talk of how the family estate will eventually be passed on to another child, or how a child of no noble origin struggles to appear well-off…

Ugh, thinking about it only sours my mood.

Anyway, since I am the closest child to him, my father will likely keep me by his side today to observe the Emperor’s tour.

“Do you know about the Empire’s Fifth Princess?”

“…?”

Huh? Why suddenly bring up the Fifth Princess?

“The Fifth Princess… you say?”

Let’s think about it; if we are talking about the Empire’s Fifth Princess at this time… Are we talking about that unfortunate princess?

Her name was probably…

“Are you referring to Princess ‘Airen Sevellus’?”

“Yes. She is of the same age as you and the youngest in the royal family. I’ve heard she will also be included in today’s scheduled tour.”

While it is interesting, it is not really my concern.

Whether the Emperor comes or the Emperor’s daughter, it is not my business. But the Duke would not have mentioned her without reason. A vague sense of unease passed through my mind.

“Would you take care of Princess Airen today?”

“Excuse me?”

What does he mean by take care of? Escort? Attend to?

Honestly, I would rather not do either.

“There’s nothing to be surprised about. Just be by each other’s side and share a friendly bond. You’ll meet again at the academy next year, won’t you? It’s not bad to forge a friendship with someone from the royal family. It’s a request made in the hope that you’ll develop a good relationship, even if it’s for a short time.”

“….”

I like it even less now.

This is basically asking me to be an escort, is it not?

Why should I bother with such nonsense, dealing with a snooty young girl?

And with the unfortunate princess, of all people?

Well, I can understand the Duke’s intention of wanting to forge ties with the royal family, a hundred times over.

But the choice of person is just wrong.

Airen Sevellus is not a being I should get close to; from my perspective, she is truly someone I need to distance myself from.

No one knows it now.

But that princess will be sacrificed a few years later in the empire’s civil war, accused of being the mastermind behind the rebellion…!

“Father, although I am insufficient, I will try to follow the Duke’s wishes.”

Huh, what is the point of spouting knowledge of a future only I know?

For now, I just agree to follow.

“Thank you. Then, let’s meet again when the royal family arrives later. You may leave now.”

I bowed once more and then turned around.

I have taken on a more troublesome task than I thought.

I guess I will just have to go through the motions as much as possible.

After all, I have a lot more to worry about than just that…

“Last night…”

My steps involuntarily halted at the sound of a deep voice on high alert.

I quietly turned my head to listen for the continuation of that unfinished sentence.

My father’s face had suddenly turned grave.

“What were you doing?”

What was I doing?

I am not sure what answer he was expecting, but there was only one answer I could give.

“Due to fatigue, I went to bed early. I rushed out at the signal of a demon beast’s appearance, but by the time I arrived, the situation had already been resolved…”

After fleeing the scene, I immediately returned to my original form and went back to the camp.

There were not just a few other knights who encountered me at that time, so my alibi was solid.

The Duke relaxed his vigilance at my expressionless demeanor.

“I see. Alright then. Go back and rest.”

I bowed again and turned around.

Then, until I left the tent, he stared at my back with a subtle gaze.

As if comparing me to some target with a look of suspicion…

Is that really what I should call father?

Everything around him becomes an object of his suspicion.

Even if that happens to be his own son…

Huh.

With an inscrutable smile, I stepped outside.

* * *

The giant stone wall that demarcates the front line from Vellias.

Though it may seem like a mere pile of rocks, a high-level magic barrier is woven into that wall.

At its center lies a gate, the continent’s sole boundary gate that allows passage to and from the front line.

Inside the boundary gate, numerous knights, including Duke Vert, were on standby.

Each of them was waiting for the arrival of the noble guest with solemn expressions and strict postures.

-Boooom!

“His Majesty the Emperor arrives!”

With the sound of a heavy horn, one knight loudly announced.

Soon, the figure of the Emperor, dignified among dozens of knights, revealed itself.

Emperor Dione Sevellus of the Ushif Empire

Given the location, his attire was armed and ready for battle at any moment.

As the Emperor dismounted his horse upon reaching the boundary gate, Duke Vert approached and knelt on one knee.

“I am Willius Vert, lord of Vellias. I greet Your Majestic Highness, the Emperor!”

“Always hard at work, Willius! There’s no need for such formalities between us.”

The Emperor, as if meeting an old friend, personally helped the Duke to stand up.

Regardless of the relationship between the Emperor and the Duke, their connection was anything but superficial.

The friendship between the two, stretching back to their Royal Academy days, was well recognized, to the extent that the Emperor himself has publicly acknowledged Duke Vert as the noble he trusts the most.

Amid their exchange of formal greetings, the Emperor’s gaze turned towards me.

“Ho, to think that such a bright sprout exists in this desolate and dark place.”

Knowing he was referring to me, I calmly stepped forward and bowed my head.

“I greet Your Majestic Highness, the Emperor! I am Cyan Vert, the youngest of the Vert Duke’s family.”

The Emperor seemed very intrigued, letting out an exclamation of interest.

“So the stories are true. To think such a young boy lives in such a harsh place, indeed, your offspring seem to be of a different breed, Willius.”

“Your Highness, you flatter me. As a father, I am merely ashamed.”

“I also have someone here I should introduce to you all.”

Turning around, the Emperor signaled, and as if waiting for the cue, someone stepped down from the carriage.

A young girl, appearing to be around my age, with deep silver hair and pale skin.

There was no need for explanations; it was clear who she was.

“This is Airen Sevellus, the Fifth Princess of the Ushif Empire.”

She was Princess Airen, who was scheduled to visit with the emperor today.

In my past life, whether the Emperor came or not did not matter to me as I was holed up in the mansion, but usually, it is the First Prince who accompanies such visits, so her presence was somewhat unexpected.

Did the entire royal family catch a disease or something?

While I was observing without much thought, I looked up and our eyes met.

What do you think is the reason a child is treated like a child?

No matter how much they try to hide it, it is because their inner thoughts are transparently visible. That is why they are children.

The same goes for the princess; even in a fleeting moment, I could clearly perceive her inner feelings.

“…?”

It seemed like she was harboring jealousy?

(To be continued)