The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

People say,

‘The god of the Black Mist seeks to deny the inherent dignity and values of humans.’

‘He incites humans to commit unspeakable acts against their own kind, justifying them as if they were the right thing for the world.’

But the god I know said,

‘It’s because they wished for it.’

‘I simply gave power to those who couldn’t rise on their own, fulfilling their earnest desires.’

‘After all, what’s right and wrong is for one to decide, not others.’

To the uninitiated, it might seem like irresponsible bystanderism.

But I want to say,

This god isn’t irresponsible but lacking.

Having thrown away the dignity of divinity, he only sought to protect those humans who believed and followed him thoroughly…

Such a foolish god, that is.

At the edge of a subspace where the presence of a transcendent being can be felt,

There was an altar, similar in shape to where Kaeram had been asleep.

Wrapped in black mist, with a faint human form within,

As if waiting for my arrival, he sat on the altar in a peaceful posture.

[Do you know who I am?]

I answered without hesitation.

“The god of the Black Mist, Aer.”

Undoubtedly, he was the master of this space.

[I wasn’t expecting much, but you don’t seem surprised at all.]

It felt no stranger than seeing the mist that always stayed by my side, even though it had been a long time.

He continued to ask.

[What is your name?]

“Cyan Vert.”

[When did you know you were my successor?]

“Since a year ago.”

It wasn’t a lie.

That was when I had finished my previous life and returned to the past, so by the current history, it would also be when I came to possess the Mist Stone.

After a moment of silence, Aer spoke again.

[There are two ways to become a successor. The first is when I directly appoint a successor and give them a Mist Stone with my mark…]

It was my past life.

[The second is when someone worthy of being a successor appears in the world, and the Mist Stone finds its way to them. You have a Mist Stone now, but I don’t remember giving it to you. So, it must be the latter.]

That meant, as soon as I returned to this world, the Mist Stone had moved to my body.

A switch.

The Mist Stone from my past life disappeared, and a new Mist Stone from this world entered me.

And as the Mist Stone disappeared, the organization also confirmed the emergence of a successor and seemed to have started the purification process.

[Besides, awakening and controlling the cursed sword that even I didn’t know the location of… This is the first time I’m seeing such a side of you. Kaeram…]

[……]

Despite being mentioned, Kaeram didn’t respond at all. She just bit her lip and glared at him with fierce eyes.

[The look of knowing me, the Mist Stone I never gave, the secret techniques they never taught… From the outside and inside, there’s nothing I can do for you. You’re truly a finished product.]

Aer seemed puzzled yet somehow satisfied.

[It seems you’re a stranger from a different time that’s not in my memory…]

A successor who suddenly appeared fully formed, without any signs.

Now, I might be an entity that goes against all the natural laws that Aer and the Mist were supposed to follow.

The successor they were supposed to create, to accompany, appeared skipping all the intermediate steps.

That’s why I thought the cause of this absurd situation must be from this exiled god.

“I thought this situation was somehow related to you.”

However, as if that wasn’t the case, Aer snorted in response.

[What power do I have? The title of a god has been stripped from me long ago. If you wanted an omnipotent transcendent, it seems you’ve come to the wrong world.]

Well, that doesn’t seem to be it.

At least the aspect of you I knew is unmistakably present here too.

Aer also seemed to be scanning me with an interested gaze.

[Hmm… Somehow, I feel unexpectedly at ease, don’t I?]

“Because of what?”

[Without the need to do this and that for you, a fully formed successor just appeared out of nowhere, reducing the necessity to teach you anything. Isn’t it like I’ve thrown away my role as a giver?]

“You’re still the same, aren’t you…”

If it were my past self, I would have found it strange for a god to act this way.

But now, I know that those words are genuinely sincere without any pretense.

Meanwhile, Kaeram seemed genuinely annoyed.

[However, you do possess one bothersome item.]

I immediately realized what that item was and took out a golden stone that had been tucked away in the corner of my pocket.

The jewel of the holy sword Durandark, which I had “acquired” from the Temple of Light when I brought Kaeram.

Even in the pitch darkness, it emitted a bright and intense light.

[As if the cursed sword wasn’t enough, you even sought the power of a holy sword?]

It’s essentially useless to me, but that’s not necessarily the case for others.

After all, it’s just a piece for a larger puzzle that’s meant to be solved in the future.

I spoke as if it was nothing significant.

“I’m not planning to do anything with it right now. After all, no matter how bright and valuable a gem may be, if it doesn’t see the light of day, it’s just a meaningless rock.”

[Despite your delicate appearance, you have quite the nasty hobby. Well, it’s none of my business, so I won’t ask further.]

-Swish-

Rising from the altar, he slowly emerged from the mist, revealing his entire form to me.

[But I will ask this one thing clearly. Even if you’re not in my memory, there’s no need for you to deny it; you’re undoubtedly my successor.]

The form of the mist approached me slowly.

Eventually, as all the mist cleared, revealing his complete form, the divine face smiled and asked.

[As your absolute provider, I ask you, successor who has inherited my power. What do you plan to do with that great power?]

In my previous life, I wasn’t asked this question so early.

At 17, right before graduating from the academy, when I had to start planning my future.

Aer asked me the same thing back then.

And my response at that time… was embarrassingly foolish.

‘I want to live for my brother.’

Looking back, it would have been reasonable for Aer to rip my mouth, twist my limbs, and throw me into the void right there and then.

After all the effort to feed, raise, and give me everything, what do I say? I want to live for my brother?

At that time, I was even considering turning all the assassins of the Mist, including Aer, against me.

That’s how obsessed I was with that demonic brat.

But Aer simply said it didn’t matter.

‘Do as you wish.’

The head of the family said,

‘The future you choose is not for us to meddle in.’

Why?

When they were ever so generous, and now they respect my choice?

If that’s the case, why did they bring me here? Why make me a successor?

This world is all about give and take.

No one would give me everything without a purpose, and surely they must have wanted something from me.

But they really let me go coolly.

I had the foolish thought that it was good they respected me, even though I couldn’t understand them.

However, Aer made one thing very clear.

‘There is nothing more dangerous than blind trust.’

Perhaps Aer knew back then that I would meet such a foolish end?

Thinking about the past only gives me a headache.

Now, it’s the opposite.

As I said before, this world is one of mutual exchange; what is received must be returned.

Now that I can do everything, it’s my turn to give back to them.

“First, I need to do some cleansing work.”

[……]

Cleansing work refers to the assassination activities that Mist is currently involved in.

Aer’s expression hardened as if surprised, while Kaeram smirked as if he had expected it.

“Next, I’ll rectify all the things I had to do and couldn’t do. After that, I’ll do what you wanted.”

What is right and wrong is for oneself to judge, not others.

It doesn’t matter what happens because of my actions or what results they bring.

I’m doing this not because someone told me to, but because I want to.

Contrary to expectation, Aer was engulfed in a long silence.

[Did you say it was what I wanted?]

“Yeah.”

[It’s a strange feeling. Do you know what I want?]

“I don’t. You from the previous world didn’t exactly tell me.”

Though he never said, there was one guess.

But until I hear it directly from Aer’s mouth, I intend to leave it as just a guess.

Aer, who had been staring at me intently, spoke again.

[In the previous world where you were, I must have asked you the same question. Did you answer the same way then?]

“No.”

A response without a moment’s hesitation.

Seeing this, Aer smirked.

[That’s enough. Just remember this one thing. Your existence has already greatly twisted the cause and effect of the world. It’s solely your responsibility to bear that.]

“……”

[So sometimes, look around you. The many people who have been touched by your hands might come back to hold yours again.]

The people who have been touched by my hands…

Well, honestly, since I only have blood-stained memories, I don’t remember well, but I guess I should take his advice to heart anyway.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Aer was showing a more satisfied smile than ever before.

[Well, now it’s time to have the conversation with my daughter that I never got to have.]

[……?]

Suddenly, his gaze shifted from me to Kaeram.

[You’ve changed a lot since I last saw you, Kaeram. I don’t know how much your master has dominated you, but this obedient look suits you very well.]

[What are you saying, you foolish god? Who decided I’m your daughter?]

As Aer, wearing a sly smile, started to approach, Kaeram quickly hid behind my back, thoroughly blocking him from coming any closer.

I mean, what can she do hiding behind me, who’s not even half her size…

[Aren’t you going to leave? What is this lunatic trying to do to me…!]

[Ultimately, since I have nothing to give to your master, I thought I might as well give something to you. Just stay put for a moment.]

In the end, Aer grabbed her arm and drew a magic circle on the back of her hand with his finger.

-Ping!

Soon, a large amount of mist flowed through the completed magic circle, causing Kaeram to clutch her head in agony.

“……?”

On the other hand, my body was feeling unusually better.

Surely because I was maintaining Kaeram’s complete physical form, my energy had been continuously draining, but this felt as if that supply had been cut off.

[What, what did you do to me?]

[Nothing much. I just gave some of my life force to you. Considering how often you’ll need to fully materialize in the future, we can’t keep draining your master’s life force, can we?]

So that’s what it was.

Instead of using the owner’s life force, the creator’s life force is used to maintain the physical form?

It wasn’t just life force he gave her.

Judging by the vast amount of energy felt through the mist, it seemed he had transferred most of his divine energy to her.

[Such… such unnecessary actions…]

[Why do you think it’s unnecessary? How important is materialization? From now on, you can legally pounce on your master, right? Ah! But since his physical body hasn’t fully grown yet, pouncing might be a bit criminal, huh…?]

[What are you saying? You fool!]

Finally exploding, Kaeram grabbed Aer by the scruff of his neck and shook him wildly.

They look exactly like a father and daughter.

Aer, drained of strength, couldn’t respond properly and was just shaken back and forth.

(To be continued)