The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

“Report the situation!”

Upon hearing the sound of flares, Duke Vert hurried out of the tent.

Knight Eulken, who was nearby, immediately ran over to start his report.

“There has been a sighting of a multitude of demonic beasts near our camp! It’s estimated to be at least the size of a battalion!”

“What kinds of beasts have appeared?”

“Mostly lower to mid-level demonic beasts, including slimes, swamp toads, and moss golems, but given the magical energy we’re sensing now, it’s possible that…”

“It seems that higher-level beasts have also appeared.”

Following the Duke, Emperor Dione also made his appearance.

The Emperor was already fully armed, including his sword.

“It seems these demonic creatures have a keen sense of smell. They must have detected the presence of a rare delicacy.”

Possibly due to the effects of alcohol, the Emperor’s face was somewhat flushed.

“Do not overexert yourself, Your Majesty! We must quickly evacuate outside the barrier gate…!”

The Duke urgently tried to dissuade him, but the Emperor paid him no heed.

Instead, he raised his hand high and cast a spell.

“Let the brilliant light of guidance illuminate the darkness…”

A large sphere formed above the Emperor’s palm.

The sphere soared into the sky, brightening the visibility that had been limited by the storm.

This made it easier for the knights to prepare their armor.

“I’m still in good condition.”

The Emperor’s face was more relaxed than before.

-Thump! Thump!

An unidentified vibration was felt from beneath the ground.

It felt akin to the footsteps of a giant creature.

“While I did mention it in jest, it’s rare for demonic beasts to approach human encampments, isn’t it?”

“Not just rare, it’s practically unheard of.”

The extermination of demonic beasts usually took place at the entrance of the Lemea Valley and its surrounding areas.

If they cross the set boundary line, it is judged that they could affect human territories, and that is when the extermination operations commence.

The current location of the Duke and the Emperor was a rear camp near the boundary gate.

The camp near the valley where the demonic beasts appeared was somewhat distant.

Although it had not reached the rear yet, it was safe to say that this was the first direct invasion into a human encampment.

“All troops must arm themselves immediately and head to the camp. Non-combat personnel should evacuate outside the barrier gate without delay!”

With the Duke’s command, the knights moved in perfect order.

Not a second could be wasted in providing support to the knights at the camp, where the battle might have already started.

Above all, the Duke’s son was still there.

“Wasn’t your son there as well?”

The Emperor asked nonchalantly, aware of this fact, but the Duke did not show it.

“One must be able to protect oneself at the very least. What we need to focus on now is not my son, but the demonic beasts, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor clicked his tongue at the steadfast appearance.

“Truly, he is a firm fellow.”

Yet, he also issued commands to the knights of the imperial army.

“Imperial forces, listen! We will now join the knights at the front and proceed with the operation to exterminate the demonic beasts! Do not let even a single one escape alive!”

The Emperor himself was also ready to lead the military in exterminating the beasts.

“Right, speaking of which, the princess should evacuate…”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

A knight from the imperial forces ran towards them from across the camp with a desperate look on his face.

“What’s the matter?”

“I am terribly sorry to report, but the princess is currently at the camp!”

The faces of the Emperor and the Duke changed abruptly.

“What are you talking about! Why is the princess there?”

The princess, who was supposed to be at the rear camp, was suddenly reported to be at the front, leaving the Emperor dumbfounded.

“She found a person she wanted to meet personally, so she headed there 30 minutes ago accompanied by royal knights. It seems she went there while Your Imperial Majesty was engaged in conversation…”

The Emperor was incredulous.

“Now, who would she meet in such a dangerous place…?”

“Kweeeek!”

A chilling scream assaulted their ears.

It almost sounded like a warning from the demonic beasts not to waste time on needless discussion.

Now was not the time to worry about his daughter’s safety.

The Emperor calmed his heart and immediately issued an order to the knight.

“As the Emperor, I command. Mobilize all forces of the imperial army and head to the camp immediately! Exterminate all demonic beasts you encounter, but ensure the safety of the princess above all!”

“I receive Your Imperial Majesty’s command!”

The knight who received the imperial command hurriedly left the scene.

The Emperor drew his sword with a meaningful expression.

“It seems we need to sort out the situation quickly, Willius.”

A rainbow of lights emanated from the Emperor’s sword.

Its tip pointed towards the camp where the princess had gone.

* * *

Somewhere in the forest, a short distance from the camp.

It was a detour, but unavoidable if they wanted to evade the demonic beasts that had appeared.

Their goal was the rear camp located at the base of the mountain.

Prioritizing the princess’s safety, the knights were in the midst of fleeing with her.

[Is it really okay for us to be running away like this?]

Kaeram, floating in the air, asked doubtfully.

“We wouldn’t be much help in a direct fight anyway; we’d only get in the way.”

[Can those old coots handle it on their own?]

“Even if it’s a higher-level demonic beast, it won’t stand a chance against the frontline knights. With reinforcements from the rear camp, they’ll easily be exterminated.”

“Why do you keep mumbling to yourself, young master?”

Emily, leading the way, looked back and asked.

I gestured for her to keep running and not worry about it.

With a battalion’s worth of demonic beasts attacking, there wasn’t an option to just sit around under a blanket in a tent.

If a full-scale battle were to start, the area could be devastated, so it made sense for non-combatants to make themselves scarce.

“Are the knights at the camp alright?”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness! Those ugly beasts will be taken care of by the knights in no time!”

That clueless maid was actually being helpful for once, lightening the tense and urgent atmosphere a bit.

“The Emperor must be so worried. If only I had stayed in the rear, this wouldn’t have happened…”

“That’s not true, Your Highness! It’s, well, like an unexpected night exercise, right? I’m sure the knights here would agree, wouldn’t they?”

Despite Emily’s words, the knights’ expressions were filled with worry.

If anything happened to the princess, it would be their heads on the line. Could they really write this off as mere night exercise?

Sometimes, her lack of awareness was a problem.

-Thump!

The sound of heavy footsteps came from the dark forest beyond.

Hearing it, everyone stopped in their tracks.

-Thump! Thump!

As the footsteps grew closer, the knights drew their swords.

“Is it a demonic beast…?”

Pushing the stiffened princess behind me, I also stepped forward.

Emily had already hidden herself well behind.

“It’s okay! They… they must be just some insignificant lower-level beasts…!”

Lower-level beasts?

The sound of such heavy footsteps could not possibly belong to merely mid or lower-level beasts.

With such thunderous noise, they had to be at least higher-level beasts.

“Krrrrr…”

Parting the dense trees, the full figure of the beast revealed itself.

It stood over 3 meters tall, with a body twice the size of an average adult man.

Covered in greenish skin drenched with thick sap, it was a giant high-level demonic beast, a ‘Troll’, that dwelled in the damp swamps.

“A high-level beast?”

Not just Princess Airen and Emily, but also the knights of the imperial guard were shocked.

They had expected at most something on the level of an ogre, but a high-level beast had appeared out of nowhere.

Moreover, these were knights of the imperial guard, not front-line soldiers.

This meant they had virtually no experience in combat with demonic beasts.

The Troll, with its burnt-looking, eyeless gaze, was staring straight at us, and oddly enough, it seemed fixated on me.

Could it be as I feared?

“Kwoooaah!”

With a loud roar, the Troll charged at us with great speed.

“Protect the princess!”

The knights quickly formed a defensive line, but such standard tactics were futile against a high-level beast.

-Thud!

Easily brushing the knights aside, the Troll continued its charge towards me.

I hurriedly pushed Princess Airen and Emily to the side and threw myself in the opposite direction.

-Bang!

The Troll’s massive fist cratered the ground where I had just been. Any ordinary human caught in that would have been crushed to pieces.

“Krrrr…”

The Troll was still focused on me.

[Seems like that big guy sniffed you out too, huh?]

Kaeram, observing the situation, commented with a laugh.

“Should I start wearing perfume or something…?”

The thought that among the beasts that had appeared, this one had come specifically because of my scent was unsettling. Likely, some of the beasts attacking the camp were also targeting me.

We need to resolve this quickly, or it will become even more troublesome.

“Emily! Take the princess and run!”

“What?!”

“This beast, for some reason, seems to be targeting me! I’ll draw its attention and buy you time, so use that opportunity to escape to the rear with the princess!”

“Okay, young master!”

Her response came without a moment’s hesitation.

Our maid is really obedient, which is great, but somehow, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

“What are you talking about? What will you do?”

Yet, it seems the princess herself could not accept this plan.

Though her concern is appreciated, in reality, it’s just needless interference.

“I told you, didn’t I? If you can’t be of help, at least don’t be a hindrance. Right now, the best help you can provide me is to run away with all your might, Your Highness!”

“But, still, this is…”

Hesitating, Princess Airen was swiftly picked up by Emily.

“Now is the time to run, Your Highness! Our young master will somehow make it out alive!”

“How can you say that? How is he supposed to survive against that beast?”

“He’ll figure something out! Take care, young master!”

Why do I get the feeling she is hoping I might trip and fall even after saying that?

The knights, having regrouped, noticed the situation and started to flee with the princess.

I too turned around and started running in the opposite direction.

The Troll also roared loudly as it chased after me.

“Cyaaan!!”

I thought I heard someone’s desperate call, but I did not pay much attention.

“This should be far enough.”

Thinking I had put enough distance between us, I stopped running and faced the creature.

[How about it? Shall I help again?]

“I won’t fall for your schemes a second time.”

With the Death Worm, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but this time, there was no need for that.

After catching my breath, I drew the mana slumbering within me and transferred it to Kaeram.

-A flash

A brief black light emanated from the blade.

I was ready to rend the Troll’s flesh.

“Shall we taste the blood of a high-level beast?”

The Troll, as if mocking, raised its massive fist again.

It took just 1 second for the fist to crash down towards the earth.

Of course, after that second, the fist would not be intact anymore.

-Swish

-Thud

Contrary to its confident gesture, the Troll’s fist weakly collapsed.

Its sinister gaze slowly drifted downwards to the fist embedded in the ground, and the copious amount of blood flowing from the wrist.

At the sight of that brutal scene, the Troll’s face contorted greatly.

“Kraaaak!”

In agony from its severed arm, the Troll writhed violently.

Pain must be forgotten with pain.

In the relentless downpour, the enchanting dance of the magic sword continued.

(To be continued)