The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Among the myths floating around the continent, there is a story about half-human, half-beast beings.

These monsters are born from the union of humans and non-human creatures, being half human and half beast.

In other words, they are unique beings born with the characteristics of both sides.

However, conversely, it can be said that they are beings who are rejected for not fitting in with either side.

Let me explain more logically why they are inevitably rejected.

You are a human.

Though a human, you possess a special power that allows you to transform into a dog.

But would you mate with a dog?

No matter how much someone might love and cherish dogs, it’s as pets, not objects of sexual desire.

The same goes for cats, cows, chickens, etc.

Unless one is mentally disturbed, no one would engage in such insane behavior.

If humans think this way, what about our omnipotent species, the dragons?

They consider humans so insignificant, not even worth the dirt under their claws.

And yet, the idea of such a species sharing romantic feelings and having children with humans…

(By the way, dragons can transform into humans.)

Even a passing dog would bark at such nonsensical talk and move on.

But this unbelievable scenario is unfolding right before me…

“Flap!”

The child shook her head from side to side, shaking off the fragments stuck in her hair.

“……”

Wandering around in a strange space, her bright, inquisitive eyes looked around.

I, too, scanned her from top to bottom, noticing features humans could not possess: horns, wings, a tail.

And long pink hair that reached her buttocks.

Moreover, the gender… was female.

“……!”

Her wandering eyes finally settled on us.

Without knowing who she looked at first, we were startled and could only accept her clear gaze.

For some reason, I felt she was particularly staring at me.

-Swish

Just as I thought she was intently looking, she suddenly started crawling towards me.

What, has a newborn already started crawling?

Whether she’s special or it’s because she’s inherited the dragon’s blood and grows faster, she was crawling towards me with a straight, undistracted gaze.

Noticing this, Brian and Kaeram quickly stepped aside.

Literally within nose-falling distance.

The child, unsure what to do, looked at my confused face and then, suddenly, smiled brightly.

“Papa!”

“……?”

For a moment, I blinked in disbelief.

My head felt blank, and I couldn’t think of anything.

It was Kaeram’s laughter that broke the silence.

[Phahaha! Papa, she says! Papa! Oh, how hilarious! Our lord, who is only eleven years old, has already become a father! Kyahaha!]

“Kuhp…!”

Brian, too, couldn’t hide his laughter and chuckled softly.

For a moment, I thought about silencing those mouths talking about magic swords and seeds…

“……?”

Looking into those pure, sparkling eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to exert any force.

The child looked puzzled, tilting her head as if wondering what was wrong.

* * *

In my previous life, I did not marry.

Since I didn’t marry, I also never had children.

Therefore, when a newborn baby saw me and shouted, “Papa!” I didn’t know how to react.

“Really, you live long enough to see everything. To think I’d see a hybrid of a dragon and a human…”

Silica, who was examining the child, said with an intrigued look in her eyes.

“Putting everything else aside, why does this child call me ‘Papa’?”

“Ma- maybe it’s because of the imprinting?”

The one who spoke up was none other than Brian.

“Imprinting?”

“Originally, every creature recognizes the first being they see upon birth as a figure to depend on. Since you were the first person this child saw after breaking out of the egg, it naturally recognized you as family, but…”

“…You seem to know a lot?”

“We- well, I did raise some livestock while I was in Vellias…”

Is this from his experience?

“Hmm, his words do seem to have some merit. This child probably doesn’t even understand what she is right now. She just hatched from the egg and the first thing she saw was student Cyan… That’s pretty much the gist of it.”

It was too clear a conclusion for me to say anything.

Whether it knew my feelings or not,

This bold dragon child didn’t care and sat on my lap, indulging in sweet sleep.

“…!”

Then, waking up from her sleep, she rubbed her eyes and got up.

“Papa, I’m hungry.”

“…”

I’m not even surprised anymore.

So, a child who’s probably been born for just about 2 hours, moving beyond crawling to now speaking clearly?

At this rate, she might just start walking openly…

No sooner had I finished my thought, the child got up and strode into the kitchen.

[It’s definitely because she’s inherited the dragon’s blood, but isn’t her growth speed unbelievable?]

Then, she naturally sat at the dining table and began to eat the food laid out.

“Her… her appetite seems quite impressive…”

Though it was enough food for at least two adult men, in the blink of an eye, only empty plates remained.

“Phew!”

She let out a cry of joy, seemingly satisfied, and showed her belly.

Then, as if hit by post-meal drowsiness, she started nodding off and fell asleep.

“Eating and sleeping, she’s just like a newborn baby.”

My mind is in turmoil.

I thought it would just be an unchanging rock until death.

But out of nowhere, not only was she born, but she also immediately called me “Papa.”

What am I supposed to do with this child?

Thinking about it, I now understand why the woman at the slave market was so obsessed with the egg.

She must have been this child’s mother.

(PR: does that mean… she laid the egg?)

So, that woman must have been the one who shared a romantic bond with some unnamed dragon…

In the end, she handed over the egg to me under the pretext of entrusting her child to me.

What, am I supposed to be some kind of foster parent for a dragon child?

“What do you want to do with this child, student Cyan?”

Noticing my complicated feelings, the clan leader asked me.

“Honestly, I’m not sure.”

“I’m not trying to rush your decision, but for now, this child cannot leave the dormitory. If her existence becomes known, it would turn the academy upside down. Then, she would immediately be captured, and your safety, Cyan, would not be guaranteed either.”

It would not only affect me but also bring trouble to Brian and the clan leader.

“Even though she’s a newborn and can stay here for now, as she grows into her childhood, she might begin to exhibit the true powers of a dragon. Depending on the extent, at least people at the level of the chancellor will notice. That there is a dragon within the academy…”

At least being a dragonkin, not a full dragon, and using my dark magic, I could manage up to the vicinity of the Royal Hall.

The problem arises if someone beyond a certain magic grade comes, then it would be immediately exposed.

The most dangerous one would undoubtedly be the chancellor.

“Moreover, as you know, dragons fundamentally look down on humans. This existence, a dragonkin, could be very humiliating for them. They might want to erase her from this world to that extent…”

I’m aware.

If her existence becomes known to the dragons, they would do whatever it takes to eliminate her.

They would probably seek to kill all involved parties.

“But there’s also a significant merit to consider. Given that she possesses both human and dragon traits, her potential for growth is boundless. She could be raised by the organization, or Cyan, you could guide her growth in the direction you wish. Whatever happens, she’ll show an extraordinary rate of growth.”

Direction of growth…

As I mentioned before, I’ve never raised a child nor trained a disciple.

So, I can’t guarantee that she would grow up well, regardless of how she’s raised.

[Why? I think it’s worth raising her. Right now, she’s only at the hatchling level, but as she grows, isn’t there a possibility of dragonization? Then she could fly, which would be nice, right!]

I’m not sure what the point of that would be.

After all, we don’t know how long it will take for this child to reach adulthood.

Plus, I’m not particularly interested in attention-grabbing activities like dragon riding.

Honestly, based on what I’ve seen so far, there seems to be no reason to take this child in.

Above all, the risks involved in pursuing an uncertain future are too great.

“If you’re worried about raising her…”

Brian, who had been silently listening, suddenly raised his hand and spoke.

“At least within these walls, I think I could take responsibility and raise her.”

In other words, he was offering to be her nanny.

“Raising livestock must feel different, doesn’t it?”

“It’s fine. This child is ultimately a human, isn’t she? Having had many younger siblings at home, I have experience raising infants from birth. I can’t promise I’ll raise her perfectly, but I’ll at least ensure she doesn’t disrupt your daily life.”

Human, indeed…

Yes, this child is ultimately human.

A definitive human being, born from a human mother into this world.

But this uncomfortable world will not accept her as either…

“As I mentioned before, we have no authority over this child. It’s entirely up to you, Cyan. We’ll respect your decision.”

The clan leader, just like when discussing the egg, stated she would not interfere.

I was drawn to the child, who was sleeping soundly, as if led by a mysterious force.

Sleeping without a care in the world.

Though not a drop of blood of mine is in her, from the moment of her birth, she recognized me as family.

What would happen if I were to abandon her now?

She would be thoroughly discarded by the world, unloved by anyone.

I’m certain she wouldn’t be accepted by either humans or those dragons.

Wouldn’t it be better, then, to spare her from any suffering right here and now?

Yes, that might be better.

Rather than living in this indifferent world, enduring only pain, it might be better for her to end this life quickly and move on to the next life.

The moment I made up my mind, a murderous intent began to fill my eyes.

“……”

It seems the others have noticed what I’m about to do.

But no one intervened.

Knowing that this act was ultimately to take responsibility.

Swoosh

I carefully grabbed her neck, ensuring she wouldn’t wake up.

Not a rough or coarse touch, but like stroking velvet, soft and fine.

At this rate, it wouldn’t take much force to snap her neck.

I felt no remorse.

As I’ve said repeatedly, this is ultimately for her sake.

A consideration to spare her the pain of never fitting into this harsh world…

“……!”

The moment I was about to exert force, she woke up.

Blinking her eyes, she looked at me intently.

The moment I saw her gaze, I could no longer bring myself to apply any force.

In fact, my hand was shaking.

What’s happening?

Am I hesitating?

Me, an assassin?

After hesitating for about 10 seconds, the child looked at me and smiled again.

“Papa~!”

Thump

She naturally hugged me.

Held in my arms, she soon fell back asleep.

I could feel it.

Her heartbeat, throbbing against our touching skin…

“……”

“My lord?”

For the first time in both my past and present lives, an emotion I had never felt before was taking over my mind.

How should I put it? The prospect of what lies ahead seemed indifferent to me?

A vague thought arose that whatever happens, I’ll just deal with it.

Holding the child naturally, I looked at them and spoke calmly.

“Let’s raise her.”

(To be continued)