The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Airen Sevellus, the fifth princess of the Ushif Empire.

As the youngest and late-born child of the emperor, she was in a position essentially unrelated to the throne.

However, if she lived without greed with the power given to her, it was a very good position to enjoy a long life.

Yet, ironically, she did not want such a life.

As a member of the imperial family and daughter of the emperor, she believed it was her duty and responsibility to fulfill her role, and she thought that was the reason she was born.

However, not many people welcomed her stance.

It might seem odd to worry about the country’s welfare as a princess, but even that small concern could be uncomfortable for those around her.

Whether the fifth princess was interested in the throne,

Or if some of the rebel factions were inciting her.

She might feel unjust, but the political world created by the throne was originally like that.

Do nothing.

From her attendants,

From the surrounding nobles,

Even from the emperor himself,

She had been told over and over again to live comfortably without doing anything.

Why should she?

She just wanted to be helpful to the world as a princess.

Was it really fair to give up all ambition and enjoy a comfortable life just because she was the youngest?

She hated it.

She hated it so much.

At least, the life of a princess she pursued was not like that.

She thought people ignored her because she was still young.

Therefore, she should not show her immaturity even more.

Her request to accompany the front lines was also her personal request to the emperor.

The emperor absolutely opposed it, saying it was not allowed, but this young princess showed her strong will by even undertaking a hunger strike.

The emperor, Dione, could not let his beloved youngest daughter starve to death.

She was a dignified princess of the empire.

She had to worry about the welfare of the state, care for the people, and contribute to the peace of the continent.

From that perspective, she inwardly thought she had matured.

Taking steps one at a time and consistently growing, she had no doubt that she could emerge as a better princess.

At least until she encountered a boy named Cyan Vert…

During her journey to Velias, she happened upon the youngest of the Vert family by chance. Originally scorned as the incompetent of the family, he had earned recognition from the head of the family through his own growth and was continuing a tough life on the front lines, where monstrous creatures roamed.

To be recognized by none other than Duke Vert himself was intriguing for a princess deeply craving acknowledgment.

She thought that this man named Cyan might share similarities with her, and though she did not know much, believed that there would be much to learn from staying together.

“I am Cyan Vert, the youngest of the Duke Vert family.”

His first appearance, viewed from inside the carriage.

He clearly showed a confident demeanor, not intimidated even in the presence of the emperor of the empire.

“…?”

Princess Airen could only tilt her head in confusion.

Despite looking like a boy of about ten, his firm impression and calm tone emitted an unmistakably mature aura.

‘Is this person really a man of my age?’

A sense of alienation that seemed utterly unapproachable to her.

Even in front of the emperor,

Even in front of the numerous nobles who slandered her,

She always tried to maintain her dignity, but this was different.

A person under the same conditions as herself, yet with a very different demeanor.

The moment they faced each other, indescribable emotions surged.

What kind of life had this prince lived to exhibit such an uncharacteristic appearance for his age?

Moreover, what made him so different from her that there was such a disparity?

Along with feelings of indignation, jealousy also began to emerge.

It was unfair.

She was working so hard every day to improve herself,

Why did just looking at this man in front of her induce such a deep sense of defeat?

Still unable to shed her youthful naivety, her true feelings were plainly visible.

Unlike the princess, entangled with various emotions, Cyan was merely in a state of detached tranquility.

* * *

The emperor’s tour proceeded more smoothly than expected.

From the western desolate forest area past the border gate to the dry cliffs of the eastern valley where the Red River flows.

As if sensing the visit of a noble, the monsters did not appear either.

The tireless Emperor Dione and Duke Vert, matching steps beside him.

Walking in step with the emperor of the empire.

Such an act might have been criticized as disrespectful if it were anyone else, but it was possible because it was Duke Vert.

It was an indication of how much the emperor respected the duke.

Their bond was just like that.

Well, let’s assume that was always the case…

Exactly five steps behind the emperor and the duke.

A procession of knights meant to protect them was following.

In the center, being protected, was Princess Airen.

The princess was fascinated by the natural environment of the front lines, looking around curiously.

Then, suddenly turning back…

“…!”

There it goes again.

If there’s a complaint, why not speak up? Why keep making faces? Even if I’m following the duke’s instructions and acting as an escort (?) from one step behind…

This princess, for some reason, keeps giving me sad looks from time to time.

Who would not feel bad being looked at with a face like they have just tasted something awful?

Why act like this when we should be getting along from the start?

After this tour is over, we will hardly see each other again anyway.

I could only hope it would pass quickly.

The emperor’s tour continued, and before long, they arrived at the dry cliffs.

Looking down below, Emperor Dione let out a deep sigh.

“Whether it’s the imperial palace or here, the air is much the same.”

It was a statement loaded with various meanings.

The political scene at the imperial palace is a constant battle.

At least at the front lines, the enemy is clearly recognized, whereas in that place, allies and foes change day by day.

It is a tough life, but it is not my business.

“Um, over there?”

Suddenly, a strange voice called out to me.

“…?”

For the first time in three hours, Princess Airen spoke to me.

She had a look on her face that suggested she wanted to ask me something.

“Why is that river so red?”

She pointed to a river with a reddish hue flowing in a secluded part of the valley.

“It’s called the Blood River.”

“The Blood River?”

It meant a river of blood.

(PR: wow, really?)

“It’s a river that runs through the Lemea Valley, continuing its predecessor. The water is red simply because the monsters douse themselves in it and scatter their bodily fluids around, turning it that color.”

The princess seemed quite surprised upon hearing the story.

“Then, is that all the bodily fluids of monsters?”

Instead of answering, I simply nodded.

It might look somewhat beautiful with its reddish hue from the outside.

However, this river was not clean water at all, as it was used by monsters for drinking and even for washing their bodies.

Getting too close to dip a foot in might turn one into a meal for the monsters, so the knights of the frontline generally stayed away.

The princess, seemingly endlessly fascinated, continued to gaze across the unseen valleys following the stream.

“What lies beyond this river?”

“The Demon Realm.”

“The Demon Realm?!”

Beyond the Blood River lay the Demon Realm, home to races from another world, not the current realm we stand in.

No sane person would wish for it, but if one desired to go to the Demon Realm and did not know the way, they could simply follow this river.

Of course, I can not guarantee they would make it there intact…

“How fascinating…”

This child is hopeless.

To think she views a place everyone else would desperately avoid as if it were paradise.

I became curious about what kind of expression she would wear when facing a monster.

-Bang!

“…?!”

Along with the sound of flares, a yellow brilliance soared into the western sky.

A monster had appeared in that direction.

“Protect His Majesty the Emperor! All other knights, follow me to the location!”

The Duke tried to ensure the emperor’s safety first, but Emperor Dione did not wish for it.

“That’s disappointing to hear, Willerius.”

The emperor had already drawn his sword.

“But, Your Majesty…”

“Do you think I came here just for a climb? My body has been terribly bored.”

“…I cannot take responsibility.”

The Duke sighed as if there was no helping it.

The emperor, pleased yet soon stern, informed the knights.

“The imperial army is to follow Duke Vert’s command from this moment! Focus on eliminating the monsters until a subjugation order is given!”

Emperor Dione’s magical grade was known to be of the 8th rank, possessing vast magical power comparable to the continent’s greatest magicians.

Had he not become the emperor, he might have been the head of the Grand Magic Academy, boasting immense power enough to end mid to low-level monsters with a mere flick of his hand.

Yet, he handed over the command of the imperial army to the Duke in the midst of this.

Such a moving friendship indeed.

The knights moved in perfect order following the command.

I too must join the battle alongside them.

“Are-are demons appearing now?”

The princess, visibly flustered, asked me, her body trembling noticeably more than before.

“Please retreat to the rear with the knights, Your Highness. If you wait, the situation will soon be resolved.”

“What about you?”

“I’m heading to the site.”

“You- can you fight against the demons…?”

I wanted to say ‘of course’ but couldn’t,

So I simply spoke softly, stating the truth.

“I have only been permitted to observe the battle. I am going to fulfill my duty, so please, Your Highness…”

“I want to go too!”

“…?”

What is this kid saying?

“If it’s just watching the battle, then I can go too, right?”

The knights around us seemed very perplexed as well.

“This is the frontline, Your Highness. It’s not a playground.”

“I know that! I just want to inspect the site as the princess of the empire!”

“Even so, it’s dangerous. His Majesty the Emperor would surely not wish for it…”

“I can protect myself too! Why is it that you can go but I cannot?”

Ah… My blood pressure is rising.

This princess is more stubborn than she looks.

I would like to just knock her out and tell the knights to take her away,

But then I would be starting my life in prison, not on the frontline.

“I’m going regardless of what anyone says, so don’t try to stop me!”

“Your Highness!”

Despite the knights’ attempts to dissuade her, the princess brazenly pushed forward.

The knights, unsure of what to do, looked like they belonged to the imperial army, but it was pathetic that they were at a loss over a single princess in such an emergency situation.

How could the princess be so clueless about the situation and expect to survive?

Shaking my head at her stubbornness, I quietly approached her.

-Click

I grabbed the wrist of the princess, who no one else dared to touch, in an instant.

“…!?”

“If you’re going to act like a child, then just go home, Your Highness.”

“…What?”

“Because of Your Highness’s stubbornness, dozens are currently restrained. Let me remind you, this is the frontline, and a single second of poor judgment can lead to unpredictable consequences. Or are you going to take responsibility, Your Highness?”

To the knights, who needed to focus entirely on the battle even in such critical times, the princess was nothing more than a burden.

Even if she was young and did not understand, she needed to realize some things to a certain extent.

“I just…”

“If you can’t be of help, then at least don’t be a hindrance.”

The princess could not say anything back, just stuttering.

“Please retreat quietly to the rear. It will be over soon.”

After letting go of her hand, the princess finally retreated to the rear with the knights.

Thankfully, that was the end of it.

I immediately headed to the site.

(To be continued)