The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

In the east of Vellias, the mansion of the Duke of Vert.

Margaret Erzeth, the mistress of the mansion, was walking down the hallway with an extremely anxious expression.

“……”

Her hands and feet trembling like aspen leaves, the corners of her mouth quivering as if she were cold; It was as if she was a sinner hiding a grave mistake.

“Mother?”

“Huh!”

At the sudden touch of a stranger, her body jolted like a wave.

It was Aschel, the eldest son of the family.

“Are you okay? You look very pale.”

Relieved that it was Aschel, she calmed her startled heart.

“Ah, ah… No, I’m fine, perfectly fine……”

With a gentle smile, Aschel took her hand.

“If there’s anything troubling you, please tell me anytime, Mother. As your son, I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“Th-thank you, Aschel……”

Though he was not her biological son, he was undeniably the most charming child in the house.

As if enchanted by his gaze, Margaret carefully caressed Aschel’s cheek.

After she left, Kellin, a servant, approached the now-alone Aschel.

“It has been reported that several bodies were found in the mountains near Vellias. They were all knights belonging to our domain.”

“How many were there?”

“A total of six bodies were found. However, since the Duchess had sent out seven men, one is presumed missing. But……”

Kellin hesitated for a moment.

“Don’t stop, continue.”

“It has been confirmed that among the party that entered Luwen, there was a knight from our domain……”

Aschel silently turned his head towards Kellin.

“It is presumed that this might be the missing knight……”

An assassination plan against Cyan Vert, was led by the Duchess.

However, the plan failed, and Cyan safely entered the academy.

Upon learning the news, the Duchess desperately covered up the truth, but Aschel, sensing something was amiss, discovered the fact.

Despite the seriousness of the report, Aschel burst into laughter.

“Interesting. So you’re saying that one of the knights sent to assassinate my brother has instead entered the academy with him?”

“Yes……”

Aschel’s maniacal laughter continued.

Kellin waited silently for his laughter to end.

Finally, when the laughter abruptly stopped, Aschel asked in a calm tone.

“What about the person you followed?”

“That- that is……”

For Kellin, it was the question he least wanted to answer.

“I heard that he entered the academy and was assigned to the Royal Wing, but after that, we lost contact……”

“Lost contact?”

“Yes! So, we dispatched additional informants, but we have yet to hear back from them as well……”

In fact, Kellin had dispatched a total of three more informants after the first one who infiltrated the academy.

However, after sending a message that they had arrived at the academy, they all disappeared without a trace.

It was enough to drive him mad.

He couldn’t help but wonder if they were cutting off their tails somewhere, among countless other thoughts.

“……”

Aschel, turning his back again, said nothing.

Did he feel he had disappointed his master as a servant?

Disheartened, Kellin clenched his fists.

“I will go there myself.”

“……”

“It won’t take long. I will just find out what’s happening around the youngest master and return immediately. There will be no loss of contact!”

Kellin, declaring his intention in a confident tone, bowed to Aschel.

“Lift your head, Kellin.”

Aschel, with a bright smile, said to him.

“There’s no need for you to suffer because of my vain concerns. Let’s put an end to the matter concerning my brother here. You’ve worked hard so far.”

Even though it seemed like encouragement, Kellin did not feel it that way.

He knew his master well.

A personality that sees things through once he decides to dig in.

Would he, known for his persistence, really give up on this matter here?

Aschel was speaking in circles.

It meant he no longer wanted Kellin to handle the matter concerning Cyan.

For Kellin, it was an unbearable humiliation.

“I have vowed to serve Lord Aschel all my life! A task like this is no trouble for me. Please, send me to Luwen!”

With a mindset that retreating would be akin to death,

Kellin conveyed his sincerity to his master.

What came back was Aschel’s gentle laughter.

“Haha. As expected, I can’t win against you, Kellin. Alright. I will respect your wishes. But you must return quickly. I, too, need you very much.”

“I will follow Lord Aschel’s command!”

Thinking he had regained recognition, Kellin’s face was filled with a smile.

“……”

In contrast, the face of Aschel, who had turned away, was utterly impassive.

* * *

“Daddy, open this for me!”

What she handed over was a glass jar filled with candies as big as eyeballs.

Apparently, she still didn’t have the strength to open the lid due to her youth.

“Do you even have teeth to eat candy with?”

“Yeah! Look, I already have all my teeth!”

She opened her mouth wide to show off her teeth, which had grown in white.

Front teeth, molars, without distinction, all her teeth had grown in.

As if not to be outdone as a dragon, sharp canines had grown on the top as well.

I lightly opened the lid and handed it to her.

“Eat and make sure to brush your teeth. Otherwise, they’ll rot.”

“Okay, got it!”

She cheerfully smiled and shoved a handful of candies into her mouth.

[Have you turned into a completely doting father?]

Kaeram mockingly said, watching her.

“That’s how all kids are.”

[To anyone looking, you’d seem like an old soul who’s lived about 40 years.]

I didn’t deny it since it was true.

It’s already been a week since we brought the dragon child home.

In that short time, she showed a terrifying rate of growth.

Being able to stand, walk, and talk from the moment of birth was just the beginning, and her size had already grown more than twice.

Moreover, her adaptability was impressive, already strutting around this spacious dormitory as if it were her own house.

[I knew dragons grew fast, but dragonkin are no slouches either. At this rate, she might grow faster than you.]

“It’s good if she grows up fast.”

[Oh really? You do know what that implies, don’t you?]

I know.

It means that the time she can stay here with me is even shorter.

But conversely, it also means that the day she can stand on her own comes sooner.

After all, she’s a child who will live hundreds of years longer than me, even now.

The sooner she adapts to this world, the more her ability to live on her own will increase, I believe.

Well, for now, she’s innocently sucking on candies like this.

“I’m back, young master.”

Brian, who had gone to buy groceries, returned.

Next to him was the clan head as well.

“What brings you here on a day without classes?”

She wore a very displeased look, unlike her usual self.

“You’ve really caused a stir, student Cyan.”

“What stir are you talking about?”

I was utterly puzzled by the sudden mention of a commotion.

She silently handed me a piece of paper.

In the center of the paper, the words “Duel Approval” were written in bold letters.

The moment I saw the text, I immediately grasped the situation.

That muscle-headed prince had actually managed to get approval for the duel.

“What were you thinking? It’s already bad enough without stirring up trouble, and now you’ve chosen to duel with the Prince of Sand of all people? The academy is already buzzing with rumors!”

“He was the one who requested it, though…”

“That’s not the point! This duel is the first major confrontation between freshmen! Important figures from the academy will be attending, including key stakeholders! There’s even a rumor that the chancellor will be watching!”

[Do they not have better things to do? Watching eleven-year-olds hit each other, what’s so interesting about that?]

Kaeram shook her head, unable to comprehend.

Well, she wasn’t wrong.

In the academy, it wasn’t rare for students to test their skills against each other, and as long as mutual consent was given, duels could happen any day.

However, fights always focus on who is fighting whom.

Not to toot my own horn, but I had already become quite a celebrity in this academy.

In a way, it was inevitable.

My high status as a member of a ducal family, a glorious past lived on the battlefield, unprecedented attribute scores and physical grades at the academy; this was the first time my abilities would be showcased.

It was impossible not to attract attention.

And if the opponent was the Prince of Sand, well, that speaks for itself.

I shifted my gaze and asked calmly.

“So, when is this duel?”

“In two hours.”

“……?”

That’s sooner than I thought.

-Bang, bang, bang

Suddenly, there was a loud knocking on the door.

I didn’t need to check to know who it was.

“Cyan Vert! I’ve got the duel approval just like you said! Why wait? Come out and show me your strength!”

My headache started to intensify.

* * *

Atop the academy’s main building was the magic dueling arena.

It was spacious enough to accommodate a thousand students.

Students gathered in groups, regardless of grade or gender, more crowded than usual with not a single empty seat to be found.

“Your Highness, this way.”

Resimus had secured seats and was guiding Airen.

“Thank you, Resimus!”

Seated, Airen slowly looked around.

Students from various grades and backgrounds had gathered.

Instructors responsible for classes and high-ranking researchers were present.

And there was Kundel, the chancellor of the academy.

It was evident how much interest people had in the duel between these two students.

“Your Highness, have you ever seen Sir Cyan fight?”

Resimus asked her, sensing her apprehension.

“Eh? No, I never had the chance. Now that I think about it, I never had the opportunity to see him fight directly, especially since we met in a war zone.”

Airen suddenly remembered the time Cyan had volunteered to be bait to help her escape from an enemy camp.

His bravery in the face of danger, never showing fear or dread.

“Which is why I don’t really know! I guess I’ll find out today. How strong he really is!”

“I see.”

Resimus seemed a bit disappointed.

“What do you think?”

“Pardon?”

“It’s okay. We’re just talking amongst ourselves. Who do you think will win today’s duel?”

After a moment of hesitation, Resimus cautiously spoke up.

“Well, I haven’t seen Prince Set personally, so I can’t say for sure… but I believe there’s no one among the freshmen who can beat Sir Cyan.”

It was a bold answer.

Surprised, Airen asked again.

“Why do you think so?”

“From the moment I saw him in the park. How do I put it? Not like a knight or a warrior, but a cruel predator? It felt like looking at an assassin. As if he could say, ‘I could kill you right here, right now’ with such ease…”

“Was it, was it that intense?”

“Well, it’s just my opinion! Please, just take it with a grain of salt!”

Resimus hastily waved her hands.

Soon, instructors appeared in the center of the arena, creating a giant magic circle.

-Whirring-

A 4-star magic barrier, considering the students’ level, was established.

Before long, the two students sitting in the waiting area walked confidently towards the center.

A peculiar tension filled the dueling arena.

(To be continued)